A SUPPORTERS' group hopes its efforts to boost a football club's attendances will continue throughout the season.

Darlington FC attracted 6,965 for its Boxing Day game - nearly double its average attendance - on the same day the club's chief executive left the club, with low attendances pin-pointed as a reason behind his departure.

The supporters' club mounted a campaign, Bring a Friend on Boxing Day, to attract the biggest league crowd of the season.

The Quakers drew 1-1 in front of a crowd of 6,695 - more than double the previous home crowd of 3,002 - and nearly double the average of 3,989.

Last year, just 3,808 turned up on Boxing Day, one of the games that clubs traditionally attract a bumper crowd. Five other clubs in League Two also saw their highest crowds of the season including Bradford City, whose attendance of 15,510 was the division's highest of the season.

One of the men behind the campaign, Andy Smith, said he hoped the success of the day would now improve attendances for the rest of the season.

He said: "It was very pleasing to see a larger attendance with a lot of new fans there.

"It was particularly pleasing that there were a lot of families there, with people taking their children along.

"It was a good game with plenty of entertainment. We hope people enjoyed themselves."Our aim was to get people to enjoy the game and enjoy the experience.

"It was a good game. People who were there for the first time, we look forward to seeing again."

Because of the increased crowd, the kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes, despite the stadium originally being built for 25,000 fans.

Planning directives from the council limit any crowds to 10,000 without prior approval.

The Elton John concert, due to be held on July 5, next year, is expected to attract a sell-out crowd of between 18,000 and 20,000.

A club spokesman said: "The day was exceptionally well organised.

"There were no problems. To delay a match by 15 minutes is not a big deal. Future events will be managed well."

Mr Smith added: "You cannot criticise the club for the delayed kick off. You can only ask people to turn up early."

The bumper crowd also came on the day Jon Sotnick left Darlington by mutual agreement, to work for another of chairman George Houghton's companies.

The club said: "Despite the exceptionally good performance of the league-topping squad, gates have not yet met expectations and costs need to be controlled.