Former Sunderland academy defender Patrick Almond is hoping to help Darlington in their promotion push after joining the Quakers on dual registration terms. The 20-year-old centre-back made just one first-team appearance for Sunderland, in the EFL Trophy win against Manchester United U21 in October 2021, before being released by the Black Cats earlier this year and his future in the game looked under severe threat when he suffered serious injuries in a car crash just weeks later.
However, after making a full recovery, Almond joined Northern Premier League East Division club Shildon in November and made his return to on-field action in a 1-1 home draw with Grimsby Borough. He could now play a role in the Quakers bid for promotion into the National League and had admitted he will help Alun Armstrong’s side in anyway he can as he returns to the National League North for the first time since spending time on loan at Blyth Spartans last season.
He told Darlington's official website: "It was a learning experience going from academy to this league [with Spartans]. It was unexpected I would say.
