A SOLDIER is swapping his fatigues for a football strip as part of his battalion’s help to its new local club.

The 1st Battalion Scots Guards is sponsoring Darlington Football Club’s allstars fundraising match on Sunday just months after they moved to their new home.

The Scots Guards is part of the 4th Mechanized Brigade Units, which moved to Catterick Garrison last year after being based in Osnabruck, Germany, for 27 years.

Major Kieran Holling said: “In essence we are sponsoring the game because the battalion has arrived at Catterick having come from Germany.

“We have families who live in Darlington and we are keen to be involved in the local community.”

Maj Holding said the battalion recruited both in Scotland and the North-East.

It will also provide an array of entertainment including two armoured vehicles, the battalion marching band playing before the game and a physical instruction challenge for young fans at half-time.

One member of the battalion, Lance Sergeant Joel Burnside, 30, will also put on a shirt for the match.

Darlington FC has also chosen another six players who bid for a place in the game.

As a result of popularity of the bidding for the places, the club has now opened up a place to manage one of the teams.

Christine Balford, club commercial director, said the winner will select the allstars side, give the team talk and make team changes.

Players who have been confirmed for the team include Paul Gascoigne, Peter Beardsley, Marco Gabbiadini, Kevin Ball, Gareth Southgate, Colin Cooper, Craig Hignett, Bernie Slaven and Dean Windass.

Other corporate packages include directors for the day.

Tickets, priced £10 for adults and £5 for children, are available from the club on 01325-387000 or from The Northern Echo offices.