GILLINGHAM'S head of youth development Darren Hare is leaving Priestfield to join Championship side Crystal Palace.

The former Gills player, who has been on the club's coaching staff for the last seven years, initially rejected the offer of a senior position at the Palace academy.

But he eventually decided the opportunity to become the south London club's education and welfare officer was too good to turn down.

In his time with the youth set-up, Hare has seen players such as Nyron Nosworthy, Matt Jarvis and Andrew Crofts make the step up to the first team and he says there are several others in the pipeline for next season and beyond.

He will leave his current post at the end of the month.

* Listen to Darren Hare talking to kmfm sports editor Simon Watts about his decision to leave Gillingham and his time at the club...