BORO BOUND: Teammates Keiron Robinson and Joseph Jones
BORO BOUND: Teammates Keiron Robinson and Joseph Jones

Junior football

TALENTED Teesdale youngsters Keiron Robinson and Joseph Jones have every reason to smile this week after signing with Middlesbrough Football Club.

The eight-year-olds, who played for the undefeated league winning Barnard Castle FC U8 team put pen to paper last week at Boro’s training ground and academy at Rockcliffe Hall, watched by proud parents, Martin Robinson, Gemma Walton, Wayne and Elizabeth Jones.

Keiron, from Barnard Castle, and Joseph, from West Auckland, train twice a week at the academy and have already played against some top clubs including Manchester City, Tottenham, Burnley and Leeds.

Although Keiron has played for Barnard Castle for two seasons, Joseph only joined the Barney squad in a transfer from Bishop St Mary’s last summer. Joseph asked to be transferred to the Barnard Castle team because of the friendship he had struck up with Keiron during training at Middlesbrough.

In signing for Middlesbrough, the youngsters won’t be able to play grassroots football next season, but both say they have enjoyed their time playing for Barnard Castle and enjoyed the team’s success. The friends say they can’t wait for the new season to start, when they will be competing for the Middlesbrough U9 side.

They wanted to thank Barnard Castle Football Club for giving them the chance to showcase their talents, as well as all other grassroots teams who’ve helped them both on their way.