FANS of Darlington Football Club drummed up support for the Quakers last night with the launch of a scheme.

Bang the Drum for Darlington was designed to encourage people to make as much noise as possible for the team in the Coca-Cola League Two clash with Mansfield Town.

And it seemed to work with the highest mid-week crowd this season turning out.

The drumming was led by four players from the Normandy Band, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, who joined chairman Stewart Davies in the directors' box.

Fans were also invited to take their own drums.

A club spokesman said: "The idea is to generate some atmosphere at the games and we want to show people it is more than just a football match. We want to make the most enjoyable atmosphere possible.

"There is a guy who goes down regularly with a drum and you see him in the east stand getting the chanting going."

The carnival atmosphere was part of a drive to encourage families to visit the Williamson Motors Stadium.

Fan Paul White said: "It was a great success. Everyone joined in and the drumming continued throughout the match. The Catterick Garrison lads did really well."

Read more about the Quakers here.