Darlington Football Club is to name a stand at the Quakers' £20m stadium after a school.

The club is celebrating the opening of the North Stand at the Williamson Motors Stadium by arranging a family event.

Schools across the town have been encouraged to make sure their pupils are aware of the club's wish for a big crowd at the home match against Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday, March 26.

The Quakers have confirmed that the school bringing the most youngsters, parents and staff - in relation to its total number of pupils - will have the North Stand named after it until the end of the season.

On top of that, the school with the most number of people attending will be able to play one of its matches at the Neasham Road arena.

Schools will also be able to boost their funds by acting as a selling agent for the club.

For each £10 adult ticket sold, schools will receive a donation of £5, and for each £7 OAP ticket sold, they will receive a donation of £3.50.

The Quakers have invested more than £500,000 in completing the stand, which has a capacity of 5,378.

The club also announced yesterday that all schoolchildren would be given free entry to the match and that the Darlington Football in the Community scheme was working to arrange an inter-school penalty shoot-out event.

Quakers' chairman Stewart Davies said: "This is an unique and exciting opportunity for a school to have a whole stand named after it at a Football League ground.

"We want the next generation of fans to feel a part of our family club and to get involved with their team."

Gates will open at 11am on the match day, with family activities starting at 11.30am through to the 1pm kick-off.