He is one of the latest full time recruits now aboard the clubs continuing policy of investing in our future, which as we all know has to be Youth. Not too many however know that Dale spent last season as a part time employee, but funnily enough even this (as my story unfolds) wasn't Dale's first involvement with United.

Dale was born into a well known footballing family with strong Norfolk connections. Born and bred in Thetford, his father John was previously a professional with Kings Lynn (even playing with later U's star Malcolm Lindsey) and later to become their Manager. John's three sons, Lee, David and Dale were all to be connected with East Anglian professional clubs sometime during their careers.

Dale proved to be a useful central midfielder and was in his school teams at both Junior and Senior levels, even representing his county. Indeed, when he left school at 16, Norwich, Colchester, Middlesbrough, Ipswich and Cambridge Utd (then under John Docherty who offered a 3 year contract) all queued up for his signature. He however plumped for Ipswich (in retrospect an admitted error) who at that time were experiencing their glory days under Bobby Robson. Runners-up in the League, UEFA Cup Winners it all impressed our Dale! He signed professional forms at the age of 18 in 1981 already being a regular in their Youth team. However with the likes of Muhren and Thyssen in the first team, it dawned on Dale that his opportunities were likely to be limited, even the reserves were full of stars like Kevin Beattie and Allan Hunter! He was given a free transfer in 1983, and with the additional responsibilities of a new house in Thetford and a wife Deirdre, the pressure was on our 20 year old.

He had trials with both Millwall and Wimbledon, but didn't fancy the 'smoke', and he finally signed up for John Radford's Bishops Stortford. Two seasons were spent there until he joined Bury Town as their captain for the '84-'85 season. He spent four happy seasons playing in the Jewson/Beazer Homes League Southern, playing alongside the likes of Robbie Turner, Alan Brazil and ex-U Dougie Evans, who is now also a backroom member of the YD staff.

Tragically Dale was to seriously break his leg in 1988, this injury kept him out for a year. Bury commendably sent him to the Lilleshall Rehabilitation Centre where he met up with BBC's Alan Hansen amongst others. In December 1989 his first daughter Kati was born whilst he resumed his playing career now as a centre back for the '90-'91 season. His second daughter Amy being born in May 1991. The following season he started with Kings Lynn, but soon a call from relegation haunted Bury saw Dale return to take over the player-managers role and lead them to eventual safety.

Throughout '93-'94 he set up his own soccer academy and coaching school, even dedicating a day a week at the Japanese Boarding School Shi'tennoji at Tuddenham. In 1994 he was offered a part time coaching role at Ipswich's Centre of Excellence who at that time had John Lyall as Manager and Mick McGiven as Director of Coaching. This was followed a year later by being offered a full time position on their Youth Development staff. Not long after he managed to persuade his brother David to leave Peterborough to join him, where he still remains.

Dale felt that he had very limited openings for promotion at Portman Road, especially as he now had a full coaching license, which this summer was converted to a full UEFA 'A' one, and so he left after a year. Initially he helped out at Watton United successfully avoid relegation from the Jewson Premier as player/manager and then joined his father's Industrial finishing and plastic coatings company in Thetford.

He was glad to join United in August last year, and being appointed Director of the Centre of Excellence a month ago, which is where today's story started. So what does Dale do?

Dale's main role as he sees it, is to oversee and compliment a coaching schedule for the Centre of Excellence under 9's to under 16's. I suspect that not too many fans realise that we get lads in even at this young age, and start teaching and coaching them from day one into good habits both on and off the pitch. All the Development staff feel very proud when our Club is complimented on the behaviour of these youngsters, which has happened already on more than one occasion this season. Dale also has to organise and monitor all the coaches and get regular updates on both their and their charges progress. For at least 2 days a week he works in close liaison with David Batch, the Youth Team Coach, and this sometimes involves scouting.

I mentioned some present day League players who appeared to have slipped our net in the past, and he explained that some players develop at different rates, and that the Youth policy at this particular time was not as active as at present. Obviously we hope that this will not happen again, but what it does do, is prove that there is local talent out there and how important it is to invest in a policy that ultimately recruits it.

At the moment he is in the process of organising school coaching on a one to one basis for the lads at the Centre of Excellence. He is out to ensure that each member has an individual structure and this will be constantly monitored. Dale however stressed to me that he is trying to instill into the youngsters to set the highest target, and not be content with lowering them.

He has already got a good working relationship with his boss Ricky Martin, the Youth Development Officer, and also John Howard, the Director responsible for all Youth Development, and he is so pleased that everyone in the busy office is on the same wavelength, and all pulling in the same direction.

Ultimately our Youth structure is geared, with Dale an important cog, in producing not only players good enough to get into our First Team, but because of their natural abilities (which wouldn't have been coached out of them), allied with good sensible habits, turned into the sort of ready made player who will appeal to clubs further up the League and who can afford him! Long may it continue!

Dave Brown