PRESS INFORMATION PAGE

Incredible numbers, staggering results and an overall record nothing short of amazing:

In 12 seasons, Chester-le-Street Town Youths have won 245 competitive matches.

In the last 6 seasons they have seen 71 of their players progress to a higher level of non-league football in the Northern League; 47 represent their county; 3 progress to the Northern Premier League, 4 turn professional and 9 head off to the US on soccer scholarships.

In 2004 – with only 8 Premiership clubs through to the last 32 of The F.A. Youth Cup, Chester-le-Street Town were battling it out at “The Academy of Football” (Upton Park), against West Ham United in the 4th Round having beaten Morecambe, Burscough, Bradford Park Avenue, Hartlepool United, Port Vale and Derby County in the process of setting a remarkable North-East non-league record.

Over 12 seasons, Chester-le-Street Town Youths has achieved an 80% undefeated record in 343 competitive games with an impressive 74% wins, including 24 straight wins, 17 straight away wins and an undefeated home league record that has lasted almost three seasons. The last 6 seasons have been even better as the youth team boasts an 80% win record and 3% draw record.

Eight 1st or 2nd place finishes in 12 seasons include five league titles, including three in the last three seasons. The club has been involved in 19 cup finals winning 12 of them - including the Durham County Youth Cup on three occasions, defeating Gateshead Redheugh Boys Club (3-1, 2001/02); South Moor (3-1, 2004/05); and, Willington (3-1, 2005/06).

Chester-le-Street Town Youths, have been prohibitive title favourites season upon season since the Millennium. In each of the last two seasons, they have come from way behind to secure the title on the last day. In 2005/06, they came from 18 points behind to beat Ryhope CW with a last day win at Darlington. In 2006/07, they came from 14 points behind to beat Gateshead Redheugh to the title with last day victory at New Hartley.

Individual successes have seen striker Daniel Graham leave Chester-le-Street Town Youths in November 2002 and sign for Middlesbrough. He made his Premiership debut at Old Trafford Manchester in October 2003 and also played for England U20’s. Graham is now at Carlisle United. From the same Chester-le-Street Youth Team Daniel Newby joined Stockport County, whilst Carl Jones signed professional with Hartlepool United in the summer of 2004. In 2005/06 Youth Team Captain Kris Thackray and defender Chris Basham signed for Italian Serie A side Reginna and Premiership Bolton Wanderers respectively.

Individual successes have also come at amateur mens non-league Arngrove Northern League level with Chester-le-Street first team. Robert Draper and Christopher Hunter both stepped up to senior level in 2004/05 and 2006/07 respectively and won a double double with Draper winning Players Player of the Year and Club Player of the Year in 2005/06 and Hunter repeating the act in 2006/07. Draper and midfielder Robbie Houghton have achieved over a 100 Northern League appearances despite being just 21. Other ex-youth players like Steven Richardson, David Tait, Dean Grayson, Chris Laws, Ben Johnson and Ibby Hassan have gone on to be top quality Northern League First Division players. A number of ex-Chester-le-Street youth players have moved Stateside to undertake Soccer Scholarships in the USA with Jonathan Taylor, Karl Haggon, James Pounder and David Winskill and Liam Robertson current participants.

47 ex-youth players have represented Durham County FA Youth or Durham County Schools since the Millennium and when Durham won The F.A. County Youth Cup in May 2004, Chester-le-Street had seven players in the starting line up (Liam Connell, Gavin Stoker, Carl Jones, Curtis Taylor, Chris Laws, Andy Bulford and Steven Richardson).

The clubs Youth Team Manager is Andrew Muxworthy who has been in charge of the section for 12 seasons since 1995. Muxworthy is Youth Development Manager for the club and works closely with the first team management to progress players through to the Northern League. Muxworthy has managed the team in all but one season (2004/05) when Ray Hartley continued the clubs success.

QUICK FACTS:

Seniors Arngrove Northern League Division One
Youths: Durham County Lomax League North Division
Ground: The Riverside
Colours(H) Blue/white; white shorts; blue socks
Colours(A) Yellow