THE opening of Darlington's new multi-million pound football stadium promises a bright new dawn for disabled supporters.

The traditional pitch-side viewing for handicapped fans has been swapped for specially designated vantage spots high on the terraces, bringing panoramic and unimpeded views of the pitch.

Chairman and club owner George Reynolds was determined that his new stadium would afford handicapped people the best money could buy.

"I wanted disabled people to be catered for properly, not relegated to ground-level sites where viewing is poor," said Mr Reynolds. Lifts have been installed to take those in wheelchairs to their own sections on the terraces where 200 places have been earmarked for the disabled and their carers.

Refreshments will be served to those unable to get to the restaurant and caf areas, and charges for the disabled places will either be waived or kept to a bare minimum.

"When our disabled fans have travelled to away games some have been charged £10 to get into grounds with a further cost of £15 for their carers.

"We charged nothing to either the disabled person or their carers and I only hope that other clubs will follow our example," said Mr Reynolds.

The stadium's steel framework is almost complete, with the concrete floors due to be finished next week.

Eighty per cent of the roof work has been installed and this week the blockwork construction forming the toilet and kiosk walls and work on internal partitions for the executive boxes has begun

Read more about the Quakers here.