Darlington Football Club has appointed former keeper Andy Collett as full-time head goalkeeping coach.

Collett, thirty-four will be responsible for overseeing the coaching of the club's 13 goal-keepers from first-teamers David Stockdale and Andy Oakes through to the schoolboys. He will be assisted by Jack Norton who has responsibility for coaching the youngest keepers.

The former Quakers stopper was forced to retire in 2004 following a shoulder injury. He began his career with hometown club Middlesbrough, before moving to Bristol Rovers in 1994. After five years and 126 appearances for the Pirates, Collett returned to the North-East in 1999, joining Quakers on a free transfer.

He played in 146 games for Darlington and was a part of the side which went to Wembley in the Third Division play-off final in 2000. Over four and a half years Collett established himself as a firm favourite with the fans and one of the best in the division with some outstanding performances.

Collett said: "There are only one or two clubs in our division with full-time goalkeeping coaches. This is a sign of the ambition of the club and I am pleased that the chairman has recognised the importance of this specialist position. Working with Jack Norton, who will look after the younger keepers, I will be able to ensure that there is a continuity of coaching methods from the very youngest age and those who progress further will be comfortable and familiar with the way the club operates and the work they are asked to do."

Barry Simmonds, managing director of Darlington Football Club said: "We are very pleased to be able to incorporate Andy into our long-term strategy for the re-structuring of the youth set-up. We have invested in players in the goal-keeping position and both Dave Penney and I agreed that we need to look after them from an early age with specialist coaching. Andy is well-known and respected by the fans and players and will be invaluable to our future plans as we take this football club forward."