By Martin Walker
Chris Moore says he didn't need any time to think about taking the chance of playing professional football.
The 26-year-old winger, signed from Northern League second division side Whitley Bay this week, has potentially turned down the opportunity of playing at Wembley for a second successive year this season.
Moore lifted the FA Vase at the home of English football last year, and the Bay are in the semi-finals of the competition again this time around.
But Moore said: "I played at Wembley last year and without disrespecting it, we're talking about a one-off game against a once-in-a-lifetime chance to become a professional footballer, it's a no-brainer.
"It's something I've always wanted to do, a chance to play football every day for a living, so I didn't really have much to think about!
"I just had to put my notice in with my employer and use a day's holiday to train on my first day! But to be fair my employers were great, they're very happy for me and I left with their best wishes.
"I must admit, at 26 you do tend to think your chance has gone, but I've signed a contract until next summer (2011) and I'm determined to make a go of it and make a career in the game.
"I don't think the fitness levels will be too much of a problem for me. I've been playing twice a week and doing a bit of training in between so that keeps you in shape and match fit. The pace of the Northern League first division is pretty quick as well and we recently played Newcastle's reserves, which was a bit of a work-out!"
Whitley Bay, meanwhile, are sorry to see one of their star players leave the club.
Secretary Derek Breakwell said: "We're sorry to see Chris go, he'll be missed by everyone at the club as he was certainly one of the fans' favourites and one of the most popular lads around the club.
"In terms of assists he'll certainly be up there at the top of the Northern League first division so I'm sure he'll be an asset for Darlington.
"We wish him all the best we'd like nothing more than to see him do well for himself."
