OFFICIALLY opening the visitor centre for Darlington Football Club's new stadium, chairman's wife Susan Reynolds said the ceremony marked a new era for the Quakers.

With the multi-million pound stadium in the background and a crowd of fans looking on, Mrs Reynolds said: "Despite the sceptics and doubters, the dream has now become a reality."

Cutting the ceremonial ribbon she said: "Because of its long and historic ties we will all miss Feethams, but I do not believe it has been a particularly lucky ground for Darlington."

She urged the supporters: "Let us hope for better things at the new stadium, which we are convinced will mark the birth of great things."

Then, to the cheers of those attending, George Reynolds toasted the new centre.

"Let us forget about the past and look to the future," he said. "This venture represents a huge amount of hard work and everything is proving to be much better than we anticipated."

Praising workers at the Neasham Road site, he said: "This is a tremendous achievement and I pay tribute to Hall Construction, who have done a brilliant job."

He predicted: "I believe this stadium will attract a lot of new fans from all over County Durham."

Guests were able to watch a virtual reality video detailing the interior of the stadium.

The visitor centre will be open seven days a week, 10am to 8pm

Read more about Darlington FC here.