How it all began...
In the early 1990's Club Football in Darlington was thriving with a successful Saturday competition which was played at Glebe Road School. The 21st St Mark's Cubs, based at Longfield School; were the superstars in their day - winning the Cubs competition 16 seasons out of 20 and achieving success further a field, primarily down to the marvellous efforts of Tony Cox.
However, there was a problem, a Cubs career was shorter than a professional footballers, with retirement being reached at the tender age of 10. Whilst there were some good quality Junior Football Clubs already in Darlington, the interest in continuing football far outweighed the availability of places and the gap needed to be filled swiftly.
Just before Christmas 1991, Peter Hammond, Jim Prescott, John Williams and Jeff Williamson put their heads together and took the momentous decision to form a New Club. They enlisted the help of Paul Bielby, Barry Dawson, John Lawley, Graham Stacey, Peter Waistell and a number of parents.
The first big decision they had to make was the Clubs name. The link with the 21st Cubs was still strong so the first part of the name was concrete (21st). Furthermore, in the world of Cubs Football and indeed beyond - the 21st Cubs players were all seen as stars, so... Allstars seemed to fit snugly alongside the concrete 21st.
Darlington 21st Allstars JFC was officially formed.
The links with the Cubs remained strong when Tony Cox was named the first Club President.
One thing remained; on a snowy Saturday morning in January 1992 Peter Hammond opened a bank account and deposited the almighty sum of £1 into it.
Nine months later the Club had five Darlington 21st Allstars teams with 70 lads competing in the Teesside Junior Football Alliance League (TJFA).
29 years on and Darlington 21st Allstars JFC is still going strong. The Club now has 21 teams, ranging from Under 6s to Under 18s, which sees over 300 youngsters, both boys and girls, participating in and enjoying our National Game - Football!, in a fun, friendly and safe environment.
Over the years we have continued to expand and now have teams participating in the Teesside Junior Football Alliance (TJFA), Russell Foster Youth League (RFYL) and Durham County FA Leagues (DCFA).
There have been a few changes over the years, and these are just two of the major ones - take a look for yourself:
However, there was a problem, a Cubs career was shorter than a professional footballers, with retirement being reached at the tender age of 10. Whilst there were some good quality Junior Football Clubs already in Darlington, the interest in continuing football far outweighed the availability of places and the gap needed to be filled swiftly.
Just before Christmas 1991, Peter Hammond, Jim Prescott, John Williams and Jeff Williamson put their heads together and took the momentous decision to form a New Club. They enlisted the help of Paul Bielby, Barry Dawson, John Lawley, Graham Stacey, Peter Waistell and a number of parents.
The first big decision they had to make was the Clubs name. The link with the 21st Cubs was still strong so the first part of the name was concrete (21st). Furthermore, in the world of Cubs Football and indeed beyond - the 21st Cubs players were all seen as stars, so... Allstars seemed to fit snugly alongside the concrete 21st.
Darlington 21st Allstars JFC was officially formed.
The links with the Cubs remained strong when Tony Cox was named the first Club President.
One thing remained; on a snowy Saturday morning in January 1992 Peter Hammond opened a bank account and deposited the almighty sum of £1 into it.
Nine months later the Club had five Darlington 21st Allstars teams with 70 lads competing in the Teesside Junior Football Alliance League (TJFA).
29 years on and Darlington 21st Allstars JFC is still going strong. The Club now has 21 teams, ranging from Under 6s to Under 18s, which sees over 300 youngsters, both boys and girls, participating in and enjoying our National Game - Football!, in a fun, friendly and safe environment.
Over the years we have continued to expand and now have teams participating in the Teesside Junior Football Alliance (TJFA), Russell Foster Youth League (RFYL) and Durham County FA Leagues (DCFA).
There have been a few changes over the years, and these are just two of the major ones - take a look for yourself:
Our Club Ethos
Darlington 21st Allstars JFC is an FA Charter Standard Football Club based in Darlington. The Club was established in 1992 and is affiliated to Durham County FA.
At Darlington 21st Allstars our focus is on our core values of Respect, Fun and Confidence. Our values ensure we provide a safe grassroots environment for our players to develop both as individuals and as young sports men and women.
Our ethos defines who we are and what we believe in. It is important because it gives parents and players an expectation of what they can expect from the club and sets a standard for our volunteers to follow.
Our club ethos sets out how the club is run, following our core values of Respect, Fun and Confidence;
At Darlington 21st Allstars our focus is on our core values of Respect, Fun and Confidence. Our values ensure we provide a safe grassroots environment for our players to develop both as individuals and as young sports men and women.
Our ethos defines who we are and what we believe in. It is important because it gives parents and players an expectation of what they can expect from the club and sets a standard for our volunteers to follow.
Our club ethos sets out how the club is run, following our core values of Respect, Fun and Confidence;
- To provide football coaching and competition opportunities to players of all ages and abilities, in a safe and friendly environment
- To deliver age-appropriate coaching to support long-term player development and a love for the game
- To encourage all players to try their best and make the most of their abilities
- To develop player decision making ability
- To offer a challenging but supportive environment where children can learn from their mistakes
- To promote good behaviour and respect for others
- The overriding aim is to develop better football players in the long term
- To offer a pathway to adult football
- Our adult teams also follow our Core Principles, whilst aiming to be competitive at the level at which they play
- The club is run entirely by volunteers both on the pitch (Coaching) and off the pitch (Management).
Our Coaching Philosophy
Our clearly defined coaching philosophy provides direction, purpose and guidance to the process of coaching young players.
Coaching Aims
All teams have a qualified FA Level 1 coach as a minimum and other officials hold The FA Playmaker Award. All new coaches that are recruited now have to complete The FA Playmaker Award before being allowed to help coach. All coaches are encouraged to attain higher coaching levels, and they all have been DBS checked and First Aid and Safeguarding Training has been attended, enabling us to provide a safe and friendly environment for the development of youth football.
Coaching Aims
- Develop players holistically across all four corners of the Football Association’s Four Corner Model.
- Improve the player’s movement skills: agility, balance, co-ordination and speed (ABCs).
- Develop the player’s technical skills.
- Increase the player’s decision-making capabilities.
- Teach the player life skills.
- Make the game safe, fair and enjoyable.
- Provide age-appropriate coaching.
All teams have a qualified FA Level 1 coach as a minimum and other officials hold The FA Playmaker Award. All new coaches that are recruited now have to complete The FA Playmaker Award before being allowed to help coach. All coaches are encouraged to attain higher coaching levels, and they all have been DBS checked and First Aid and Safeguarding Training has been attended, enabling us to provide a safe and friendly environment for the development of youth football.