Darlington Football Club has appointed Craig Liddle as Head of Youth. The former Quakers captain, who played for the club over 300 times before retiring through injury in May 2005, will take responsibility for the club's Centre of Excellence.

Since retiring from playing Liddle, 36, has worked in the football academies at both Sunderland and Middlesbrough. For the past two years he has been football development manager at Darlington College.

Departing managing director Barry Simmonds and first team boss Dave Penney were instrumental in bringing Liddle back to Darlington Football Club.

Dave Penney said: "The youth development set-up is vital to any football club, but particularly at our level. To bring local youngsters through the ranks who are good enough to play in the first team, not only saves the club financially but also encourages others to realise that if they are good enough they will be given the opportunity to play.

Craig Liddle said: "To return to Darlington Football Club is fantastic. I had an amazing time here as a player, and captain and I hope that I can make a real difference at youth level. I will spend the first weeks accessing the set up and then I want to combine my own ideas with the best I have seen at other academies. I want to make Darlington the first choice for local boys wanting to pursue a career in professional football.

"I have spent time at the Middlesbrough academy, which is acknowledged as one of the best in the country. If, over the next few years, we can discover a David Wheater or a Stewart Downing for Darlington then I know I will have done a good job.

"This football club now has stability and in Dave Penney one of the best managers in the lower leagues. I had extensive conversations with Dave and Barry Simmonds and they convinced me that Darlington was the place to progress my career.

"The recent decision to grant planning approval for the new development is the icing on the cake, and will give Darlington enviable facilities. I am incredibly excited about the challenges ahead and delighted to be returning to the Quakers at a very positive time in the club's history."