SIGNS showing the change in ownership of a North-East sports stadium have been installed, as it edges nearer to hosting competitive sport once more.

Darlington Mowden Park rugby club hosts its first game at The Northern Echo Arena, against Bromsgrove, tomorrow (Saturday, February 2).

The club bought the 25,000-seater stadium after Darlington FC moved out following a fans’ takeover last year.

A cherry-picker was hired to remove the old signs on the front of the main stand and replace them with new ones bearing Mowden’s crest.

The work had been delayed earlier in the week when high winds meant contractors were unable to carry out the work.

Earlier this month, it was announced that The Northern Echo was to continue sponsoring the stadium, which it had previously done when the football club was based there.

Mowden has ambitious plans to build a string of training pitches on land adjacent to the stadium.

Meanwhile, details are expected to be announced shortly of agreements the club has been working on over the letting of parts of the stadium for business use.

Kick-off for the game against Bromsgrove is 2.15pm.

There are no advance ticket sales – admission costs £6 for adults and is free for under 16s.