BUOYANT Darlington Football Club has unveiled an initiative to help drum up fresh support for the Quakers.

The club is staging a Bang the Drum for Darlington night during Tuesday's home match against Mansfield Town.

Supporters are being encouraged to bring drums to the Williamson Motors Stadium in the hope of generating a carnival atmosphere to spur on the players in their push for the League Two play-off places.

As well as drumming up support from fans, club officials have enlisted military support.

Four percussion specialists from Catterick Garrison's Normandy Band have accepted club chairman Stewart Davies' invitation to join him in the directors' box to lead the drumming.

Mr Davies said: "These are very exciting times at the club and I think this drumming initiative is one of many ways we can generate a great atmosphere at our home matches."

He added: "Taking three points from games like the Mansfield match is crucial if we are to achieve our goal of promotion this season and it's important that the fans turn out in force to cheer the lads on."

The Quakers are in ninth place in the league table, one one point away from a play-off place.

It is a remarkable transformation from the position the club found itself in at this time last season, when it was languishing near the bottom of the league, and with major financial troubles.

Mr Davies said it was hoped that signings of players such as Alun Armstrong, Clyde Wijnhard and Craig Hignett would help attract new supporters from across the region.

As well as the drumming initiative, there will also be an extra incentive for supporters to head for the Neasham Road venue on Tuesday.

The price of a pint of beer or lager has been reduced to £1, between 5.30pm and 7pm, inside the stadium.

The match kicks off at 7.30pm.