MIDDLESBROUGH'S hopes of a lucrative tie up with clubs in Croatia are set to be adversely affected by the terms of the Slavic nation's accession to the European Union.

Boro officials have been courting clubs and contacts in Croatia in an attempt to pave the way for talented young Croatian footballers to move to Teesside at an early stage of their career.

Former Boro striker Alen Boksic has been heavily involved in the discussions, and travelled to England to attend a game at the Riverside towards the end of last season.

Other media outlets have suggested that Boro's growing interest in Croatia is linked to the fact that the country will become a fully-fledged member of the EU on July 1.

It has been suggested that this will make it easier for Croatian nationals to move to Britain to work. However, this is not the case.

While Croatia will become a full EU member this year, the regulations governing the free movement of workers does not apply to new members for a five-year period.

That is why Romanian and Bulgarian citizens will only be afforded free labour movement this summer, even though their home nations joined the EU five years ago.

With specific reference to Croatia, a signature of the accession treaty of the European Union notes: "For a two-year period (from July 1), EU member states can choose restrict the right of Croatians to work in their country, or in particular sectors.

"These arrangements will be reviewed after two years, with member states allowed to extend national measures for a further period. The transitional arrangement should in principle come to an end after five years but may be extended for a further two years in those member states where putting an end to the arrangement would lead to serious disturbances to the labour market or where there would be a threat of such disruption."

This means that Croatian players will continue to be subjected to the same regulations governing the recruitment of other non-EU nationals and will still require a work permit to ply their trade in this country.

In the case of young, inexperienced, non-internationals, it is extremely unlikely that a work permit would be granted.

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SUNDERLAND are on the look-out for a new Under-16s coach as part of the club's summer restructuring plans.

As well as the changes at the top of the football hierarchy following the appointment of sporting director Roberto De Fanti and chief scout Valentino Angeloni, there have also been changes at academy level.

And following the departure of former Darlington manager Craig Liddle, who worked with the Under-18s, Elliot Dickman has moved to another role alongside academy boss Ged McNamee and they are now hoping to bring in a new Under-16s coach.

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FORMER Hartlepool midfielder Darrell Clarke has stepped up in to the Football League after a successful spell in charge of Salisbury.

After guiding Salisbury to another promotion and up in to the Conference Premier in May, Bristol Rovers have come calling and he has been named John Ward's No 2.

Clarke has been linked to the Pools job on the last two occasions it has been up for grabs following his success with Salisbury.

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NEWCASTLE UNITED supporters will be able to bid for a wide range of exclusive kit and memorabilia from last season that has been donated by the club's players to show their support for the Newcastle United Foundation.

The online auction will consist of four listings starting on Sunday, June 1g at 12pm and running until Sunday, July 7. Each listing lasts seven days, with a new batch of items being added every Sunday until all the items are sold out.

Lots include football boots owned by a number of players including Steven Taylor and departing goalkeeper Steve Harper, and rare European kits worn by players such as captain Fabricio Coloccini.

All items will be listed on Newcastle United Foundation's eBay auction site, and every penny raised will go to Newcastle United Foundation to help support disadvantaged children, young people and families in the North-East.