Andrew Alton and Will Maw are working hard on the club’s matchday experience with groups of children and people around the town.

The scheme has attracted a lot of interest, so much so that Andrew and Will are booked up until November.

“The matchday experience is an exciting one for youngsters!” says Andrew. “The day starts with them going into the dressing room, meeting the players and having photos taken. They can even pose questions to their favourite players!

“Then we walk around the pitch, meet Mr Q the club mascot and sit in the manager’s dugout. They can pretend that they’re the manager, assistant manager, or physio, and they can ask a few more questions.

“They can watch the players warm up before the game, and then they form a guard of honour when the teams come out on to the pitch.

“They all have a seat to watch the action, and then at half time we have a penalty shootout in front of the Tin Shed. It’s a great afternoon for everybody concerned.”

Andrew and Will are quite happy to chat with any schools or groups who want to come along and be a part of the afternoon at Darlington Football Club.

“We want to encourage more community groups to come to our games,” said Andrew. “We’re quite willing to visit schools and groups and explain what’s involved. It’s very popular, we have people approaching us. The kids absolutely love it!”

Does your school or youth group want to sample the matchday experience at Darlington Football Club? The children involved are welcome entirely free, while a family ticket to accompany them costs only £5.

If your school or group want to sample the Darlington FC matchday experience, then drop Andrew an e mail on schools@dfc1883.co.uk

Darlington’s Community programme is kindly being sponsored by our friends at Darlington Building Society.