Darlington Football Club has high hopes that its multi-million pound stadium will herald a new era when it officially opens its doors tomorrow.

Although an 11,000 crowd restriction has been slapped on the 27,500-seater Reynolds Arena, that is still a huge leap for the Third Division club whose first match against Kidderminster Harriers kicks off at 3pm.

Luke Raine, club spokesman, said: "I hope people will come along in numbers to support us and get behind the team and the club to make a new start.

"We want everyone to come in the right frame of mind and to judge us on what we provide on the day.

"We have never dealt with this many people before. We are used to 3,500 to 5,000 and this stadium could make a big difference. We are hopeful of 10,000-plus.

"The fact that Newcastle and Middlesbrough are playing away from home may mean people will think about coming to see how we perform."

He said he was delighted for the club chairman, George Reynolds, and the fans, that the stadium was finally up and running.

"It is a massive achievement for George and the fans have been very patient and loyal."

John Buxton, director of development at Darlington Borough Council, said: "The safety certificate won't be issued until Friday. I have been up there specifically looking at arrangements for traffic in and out of the car park on match days and on the highway."

This week a frantic effort has been made to finish the widening of Neasham Road into three lanes outside the arena.

The council has said there are only sufficient facilities to cope with 11,000 fans at the moment.

Jan Mazurk, of the Neasham Road Action Group, said yesterday that if more than 10,000 fans were permitted, the club would breach legally binding conditions, which should be enforced by the council.

The club should have set up a transport impact assessment to include highways improvements, park and ride facilities and subsidised bus services.

She has complained to the Football Licensing Association, pointing out that the stadium has already exceeded its planning application for 25,000 seats.

Residents, who fear parking chaos because the club has so far refused to pay for a permit scheme, were holding a public meeting last night to discuss their grievances.

* Quakers put Bantams to flight: page 27.