Of the thousands of players that have represented Darlington 21st Allstars, West Bromwich Albion's James Morrison is their most successful and high profile graduate.

The club are celebrating their 21st anniversary since forming, and Darlington-born Morrison looks back fondly on his junior football days.

"It got me started playing competitive football and that's where you get noticed. Middlesbrough's scouts Ron Bone and Keith Noble watched me," said Morrison, who came through the ranks at Boro where he made his senior debut.

"Dave Hardisty was the coach from about under-10s, but when I first started it was a bloke called Chris Mann. They were good times.

"We used to play at Longfield School and I remember playing in tournaments in places like Manchester and Keele University. I used to like the five-a-side and six-a-side tournaments. There was one at Wiggington, near York, and we even got to the semi-final once."

He first played for the Allstars aged eight before having to quit at 13 when a new ruling prevented him playing for a Sunday league club while he was in Middlesbrough's academy.

But he made an everlasting mark on the club. Morrison's name is engraved on several trophies, and he remembers winning various awards such as: top goalscorer, players' player of the year, player of the year and most improved player.

"My mam's got them still at home, they're in a box," he said.

"When I left I got a framed Allstars shirt. My mam's got that too. It's got a number seven on the back and that's the number I wear now at West Brom, it's always been the number I wear. I think it was something to do with Eric Cantona!"

Morrison left the North-East for West Brom in 2007, but he's not forgotten his formative Allstars days.

He said: "I've been asked to do presentation nights and I've always been away or unavailable, but I've got a lot of time for the Allstars.

"Looking back, I always remember the rivalry with Spraire Lads, that was always good fun! Marton Juniors and Cleveland Juniors were always the best teams and always used to win the league.

"I had a lot of good fun and, looking at it, it's probably the best time of your footballing career because that's when you most enjoy it and there's no pressure. That's when you just love playing."