Ryedale | Archive | 2003 | August | 06
From the Gazette & Herald, first published Wednesday 6th Aug 2003.
Two ex-Malton School pupils are looking to kick-start their football careers at York City.
Midfielder Darren Dunning and striker Aron Wilford have both signed 12-month contracts with the Minstermen.
Both joined premier league clubs as teenagers, Dunning signing for Blackburn Rovers and Wilford for Middlesbrough. But the pair - who first played together for Norton-based Brooklyn juniors' under-11 side and have since remained friends - struggled to make a major impact in the face of stiff competition from established premiership stars.
Dunning, who lives in Welburn, near Malton, joined Rovers as a 14-year-old trainee in 1995. After going on loan to Bristol City for nine matches, he signed a three-year contract at Ewood Park.
He made his first-team debut against West Ham but only a handful of appearances followed. The 22-year-old had further loan spells at Rochdale, Blackpool, Macclesfield and Torquay. And it was while playing for Macclesfield last season against York that Dunning got the eye of City boss Chris Brass.
Dunning, whose identical twin brother, Richard, plays for Whitby Town, said: "I learned a lot at the academy at Blackburn, particularly from coach Rob Kelly. Having had a month here and a month there on loan, I'm just looking forward to hopefully getting regular first team football. I can't wait for the season to start. There is a good set of lads at the club, with no cliques."
Dunning, who bagged his first goal for City in the 3-2 defeat to Livingstone last Thursday, said he believed the club were capable of making the play-offs this season.
Wilford, aged 21, who lives in Malton, joined Middlesbrough as a 17-year-old centreback but failed to make a first-team appearance.
After a loan spell at Scarborough, he dropped out of the game for a period before joining Whitby Town towards the end of the 2001-02 season. It was at the seaside club that Wilford made his mark as a striker, having been pushed up front following an injury crisis early last season. And he revelled in the role to finish the club's top league scorer with over 20 goals.
Having been invited to attend pre-season training at City - Wilford revealed that Pickering Town boss Steve Brown had played a helping hand in his move - he took part in four pre-season games, including the 1-1 draw against Leeds.
Clearly looking forward to life in the football league, he said: "When I played in the friendly against Leeds, it was probably the best atmosphere I've ever played in and that was just pre-season."
Ironically, both Wilford and Dunning were among the few first team squad members not to play in the friendly against local side Pickering Town on Monday night.
Wilford, who had a spell at the Pikes, had a slight back strain, but both should be in contention for the opening game at Carlisle this Saturday.
Updated: 11:18 Wednesday, August 06, 2003
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