One to watch - Graham Caygill, a young man with a bright future

FOLLOWING two goals in two pre-season appearances, young striker Graham Caygill is hoping to establish himself in the Northern League over the coming months.

However, the 22 year old, who scored 23 times for the Academy side last season, is not getting carried away by his good start to life in the first team squad.

“I am pleased with my start but I am not going to get carried away by a couple of goals in pre-season,” he said.

“I have always scored goals and I hope I can now do that for Northallerton Town when the season gets underway in August.”

Caygill looked particularly lively from the bench at Newton Aycliffe on Saturday, linking well with fellow substitute Danny McLachlan, and he was in the right place at the right time to grab his second pre-season goal after McLachlan had twice been denied by the Aycliffe goalkeeper.

With many at the club desperate for a local hero to cheer, Caygill appears to tick all the right boxes. With his boyband good looks and all-action style on the pitch, he looks set to become a firm favourite with the Town faithful this season.

“I don’t feel any extra pressure from being a local lad,” said Caygill.

“The manager and the other players have made me feel welcome in the dressing room and I am really enjoying it.”

Local lad Graham Caygill has made a big impression in pre-season

With Northallerton Juniors Chairman/Secretary Steve Cooke now appointed as Peter Mulcaster’s assistant manager, more local players are expected to be given an opportunity in the side in the remaining friendlies.

And Caygill has certainly done his chances no harm at all. After coming off the bench to great affect at Billingham Synthonia the previous weekend, scoring to put Town 2-1 ahead, he followed it up with another impressive cameo, and another goal, at Moore Park.

With last season’s 38-goal leading scorer Adam Emson set to leave the club this summer, an opportunity has arisen for someone to fill his boots.

And with new strikers McLachlan and Darren Kokes yet to find the target, Caygill has already stolen a march in the race for a starting place in attack.

But to make it in the Northern League requires more than just ability on the pitch. It also takes the right attitude and a level of commitment off the pitch which many in the past have found difficult.

Caygill, however, appears ready to make the step up.

“I am just delighted to be getting an opportunity with Northallerton Town,” he said. "I have played there as a junior from U8 - U16, then with the Academy last season.

“My aim now is to work hard to establish myself in the squad and learn from the experienced Northern League players around me."

With his feet firmly on the ground it appears the future for this young man is very bright indeed.