A SCHEME allowing youngsters to develop their footballing potential has a magnificent new home.

The Darlington Football in the Community team has moved into the Williamson Motors Stadium, in Neasham Road.

The scheme, led by former Darlington star Kevin Stonehouse, had been based in the Quaker Centre. But the club has given organisers the chance to make greater use of its facilities.

That will include local children playing matches on the pitch during half-time at Darlington home fixtures, as well as the possibility of games taking place following matches.

Mr Stonehouse said: "What the club is allowing us to do, by bringing us into the ground and letting us make the most of the facilities, is amazing.

"We will be able to use the pitch and give the youngsters a thrill by playing in matches in front of League Two crowds, and the office facilities and storage space are great."

Quakers chief executive Andy Battison said one of the club's key aims was to put something back into the town. "A great way of doing that is to get Darlington's Football in the Community more closely allied to the club itself.

"This stadium has a lot to offer the community, in terms of the facilities we have here, and it makes a lot of sense for Kevin and his team to be based here."