ALMOST £2,000 was raised for a mental health charity by supporters of Darlington and Spennymoor Town on Saturday.

The two teams played at Blackwell Meadows, Moors winning 2-1, the match coming in the week after it was revealed that Darlington defender Liam Hughes is suffering with personal issues.

The 26-year-old, who last year revealed he had previously suffered with depression, is at the Sporting Chance Clinic in Hampshire, a charity set up by former Arsenal defender Tony Adams, aimed at providing specialist addiction and recovery treatment for athletes.

In tribute to Hughes, who wears the No. 5 shirt, at Saturday’s game Darlington supporters Tim Hickman and Andrew Park distributed posters displaying mental health awareness slogan #ItsOkayNotToBeOkay, which were held aloft by supporters in the fifth minute of the match.

They also held a bucket collection in aid of the Mind charity, totalling over £800, and Spennymoor are to match it with a donation of their own.

Quakers commercial manager Craig Morley said: “Great gesture from Spennymoor Town chairman, matching today’s pledges from the supporters.”

Hickman said: “I can now reveal that a grand total of £853.23 has been raised!

“Add to that the extremely generous promise from Spennymoor Town to match whatever we raised, our grand total will stand at £1,706.46.”

Hughes has missed two Quakers matches and is due to return to action in three weeks’ time.

Last week Quakers chief executive David Johnston explained: “Liam has been suffering from significant personal problems for some time and as a result, is now receiving professional help.

“The club is fully supportive of Liam and we wish him well as he goes through the recovery process.”