A FOOTBALL club’s homecoming has moved closer after builders began erecting a stand at its new ground.

The first steel has gone up for the 1,100-capacity Tin Shed at Darlington FC’s Blackwell Meadows base.

The club is expected to start playing National League North fixtures at the venue later this season.

Darlington will groundshare with Darlington Rugby Club once the work, which is being carried out by the town’s J & RM Richardson Construction, is completed.

John Richardson, managing director, told The Northern Echo the Tin Shed, which was previously used at Quakers’ Feethams ground, has been re-fabricated and shot-blasted by local companies to fit its new surroundings.

He added concrete sections, which will form a structure for hundreds of seats, are expected to be installed later this week.

He said: “We are delighted that, as a local company, we are doing this work for the local football team.

“It will look well when it is finished.”

Further work at Blackwell Meadows has seen steelwork go up for an away stand, while new terraces and turnstiles are also being installed and the rugby club is overseeing new changing rooms.

Richard Cook, Darlington director, said: “I am delighted we have reached this major milestone in returning the football club back to Darlington.

“Being able to work with a Darlington-based company with an excellent reputation on quality and delivery provides the club with confidence in making this substantial investment.

“We are also grateful for the help and assistance given to us by Darlington Rugby Club and Darlington Borough Council as well as other stakeholders.”

Darlington will continue playing at Bishop Auckland’s Heritage Park, where they have been based since 2012, until Blackwell Meadows is ready.

The contract represents another fillip for J & RM Richardson, which is based in the town’s Trinity Hall, on Portland Place.

The business previously built a 40,000sq ft plant for Subsea Innovation in Darlington’s Faverdale area, which has provided the company with greater space to carry out larger oil, gas and renewables work.

Other projects have included the headquarters of Northgate Vehicle Hire, which was opened in Darlington by former Prime Minister Tony Blair, and extra warehouse room for Stiller Warehousing and Distribution, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.