The Darlington FC Community Development programme

Despite almost three months of inactivity as a result of the weather, the DFC Community Programme has enjoyed its finest year to date. We have welcomed groups and teams from across the region with every Saturday home match being fully booked.

The programme offers schools, football teams and community groups a unique opportunity to see a side of match days that few get a chance to see, including meeting the players before the match in the previously sacred place that is the dressing room. Added to that, the groups have a short tour on the pitch, often watching the players warm up, a Q&A session and numerous photo opportunities. Just before kick off the groups form a guard of honour for both sets of players to walk through. The groups are allocated their own seating area should they wish to spectate in comfort. Half time sees the culmination of their experience with the opportunity to take part in a penalty shoot-out in front of the usually jam packed Tin Shed.

Visitors have included:

• Hambleton Juniors
• Michaels Primary, Bishop Middleham
• Bishop Auckland Girls
• Darlington 21^st Allstars
• Brompton Juniors
• Darlington Youth
• Newton Aycliffe Juniors
• Heighington Boys
• DISC
• Thirsk Falcons
• Darlington Spraire Lads
• Newton Aycliffe Girls
• Rise Carr College
• Heighington Primary

You can follow DFC Community Programme on twitter - @DfcProg – or find us on Facebook. For any queries regarding the programme contact Andrew schools@dfc1883.co.uk