“HE’S one of our own,” the Darlington fans would sing about Steven Johnson, the local hero who was a striker and part of the club’s Northern League success five years ago, and now he’s on his own and looking to make his mark as a manager.

Darlington-born and bred Johnson, 37, has been given his first management role as boss of the under-18s at Darlington Town, the town’s newest club.

The senior team will play in the Wearside League having replaced Darlington Reserves, who were attached to Quakers.

Town’s Wearside League side will largely be made up of under-23s and managed by Mark Fannan and Paul Aldsworth, while Johnson’s brief will be to take charge of the under-18s in the Durham County League.

He was previously involved coaching the Darlington Reserves side, but this represents his first stint in sole charge of a team and he is relishing the opportunity.

He said: “I want to try and develop kids who are leaving school, because there’s a lot of good footballers in the town at that age, but I had nothing at that age. I played for the East End club team and got kicked all over the place.

“I know what it’s like to be in their shoes, they’ll be wondering where they’re going to go from here. This will bridge the gap for them between junior football and men’s football.

“The standard of teams is a really good as well. It’s not pub football, it’s a really good standard with teams from places like Shildon, Washington, Hebburn and Horden.

“They will play in under-18s football in a good league and I want to get the players to as good a standard as I can – whether that’s into the Darlington first team, Spennymoor or wherever. Hopefully I can help them develop.”

While Johnson has hopes for the players in the team, he also has ambitions of his own.

He has the Level 1 and 2 FA coaching badges and begins studying for his UEFA B badge in September.

He added: “I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time, I want to be a manager.

“I have long-term aims. You never know what’s around the corner, I’ll do my UEFA B and we’ll see where it takes me.”

* Darlington Town hold trials on Wednesday, June 27 at Eastbourne Sports Complex for both their under-18s and senior team. All interested in playing are invited, with players asked to attend by 6.30pm for a 7pm start.