A FOOTBALL club last night announced plans for a £1.5m study centre to improve education.

The facility will be created in the £20m home of Darlington Football Club, as part of the Government's Playing for Success initiative.

The national project was established to create study centres at professional sports clubs to motivate youngsters to continue learning outside of school hours.

Work at the centre will be based around improving maths, English and technology, with tutors, mentors and volunteers working alongside the Quakers.

Darlington Borough Council has been awarded money from the Department for Education and Skills to partly fund the project for ten years.

Financial support has also come from the Football Trust.

The centre, at the stadium, in Neasham Road, is expected to open next year and has been hailed as an innovative way of improving standards.

It is hoped Darlington footballers will become involved in the study centre by visiting classes and working with children.

The centre will be open to all groups and will be equipped with the latest technology.

Darlington FC chairman Stewart Davies said: "The new centre will be a state-of-the-art facility that will enhance the education of those who use it.

"Everyone at the football club is very excited about working in partnership with Darlington Borough Council in this way.

"Our involvement in this project will continue the work we have already started on returning Darlington Football Club to its rightful place as the heart of the community and as a family club."

Councillor Chris McEwan, the council's children's services spokesman, said: "This is an excellent scheme, which will provide top-quality facilities for young people to learn in a new and exciting environment.

"It is important that learning continues outside the classroom and after school hours. I am delighted that Darlington Football Club has committed to helping raise educational achievement in our young people and the wider community.

"Sport, and football in particular, are a real inspiration to young people and are a great way to motivate them to achieve more."