Darlington Reserves, who have just joined the Wearside League, will have three joint managers -- Mark Fanning, Steve Johnson and Paul Aldsworth. They spoke to the official Darlo website

Darlington Reserves joint manager Mark Fanning says that the new reserve team will possess the same standards and values as the first team.

Mark, who has plenty of previous management experience with the Under 18s and in the Northern League, said; “The new reserve team will fill the gap between junior and senior football at the club. At the moment, we have an under 18s team that plays in the Durham County Youth League, but then their next step is the team in the National League North.

“That is far too big a gap, and therefore to reduce that gap a little once they have stopped playing youth football, they will be able to gain experience in the Wearside League. And if they adapt to senior football well, they may be able to break into the first team squad. Being able to offer a good standard of football after the Under 18s, should enable us to hold on to lads.

“The way we all see it, is that the formation of a reserve team is another piece in the jigsaw. We applied for the Wearside League last season, but unfortunately it didn’t happen.

Mark, together with Steve Johnson and Paul Aldsworth, had been involved in Horden for several weeks, wants to instil the good habits and values of the first team on the reserves.

“Our aims will be get the reserve team playing in the shape we want, and playing the way that we want. Everybody knows how Martin operates with the first team, and we want to do the same with the reserves.”

Steve Johnson said that he didn’t think twice about accepting a joint management role with the reserves.

Steve was a very popular player with Quakers when they won the Northern League in 2013, and now he’s aiming to be just as successful as one of the joint managers of the new set up.

“When Martin contacted me and asked me if I would like to be involved, I jumped at the chance straight away,” he said.

“Since I stopped playing, I’ve been desperate to get back into the club in one way or another.

“I’ve been involved with Horden for a couple of weeks as a joint manager, and I’m really looking forward to the team moving to Darlington. When I first went to watch Horden, they got battered, but we’ve brought some players in, and results have improved.

“I’ve known Paul Aldsworth (Pele) for a few years, I played for him when we were at Coundon Conservative Club and reached the all England final, and we’ve been close friends since.”

Paul Aldsworth says that being joint manager of Darlington Reserves is something that greatly excites him.

“Pele” has a huge amount of local football experience, having guided Coundon Conservative Club to the final of the All England FA Sunday Cup at Anfield on two occasions, and he didn’t need much persuasion to come along.

“Steve asked if I would be interested in being a part of the management team, and it’s something that really suits me. I spoke to Martin Gray, Brian Atkinson and Harry Dunn, and the decision was a no brainer.

“I’m really looking forward to being a part of the Darlington FC set up. It will be an adventure with lots of ups and downs, but that’s football.”