OFFICIALS at Darlington Football Club last night declared that the new-look Quakers were making sound progress towards creating a major off-the-field force.

The club will play its most prestigious pre-season friendly game tonight, at home to Leeds United.

A ceremony before the game will see the Neasham Road stadium's Presidential Lounge renamed the Ron Greener Suite, in honour of the legendary ex-Quakers player.

Club commercial manager Bob Gorrill said last night that further strides were being made in other areas.

Sales of corporate match day boxes were up on last year, while season ticket sales had also been encouraging.

Mr Gorrill, who joined Darlington from Mansfield Town after the Sterling Consortium concluded its takeover of the Quakers, also said progress was being made to find a new stadium name, to replace the Reynolds Arena.

"The main thing is to get the stadium up and running professionally in time for a week on Saturday, when we open in the league against Grimsby," he said.

"It's important that everything looks right for the opening game. Once people see we are doing the little things well, they will be coming back for the big things, like the stadium name."

However, Darlington Building Society will not be seeking to lend its name to the ground.

Marketing manager David Copland said: "We are the shirt sponsors and main sponsors of the club, so it would not add too much to our present relationship. It had been mentioned to us, but we already have the key sponsorship package."

Launch of the Ron Greener Suite follows the re-naming of the old Bar 66 as The Tin Shed. Other areas of the £20m stadium will also be rebranded, and talks have been held with a North-East college about opening a study centre there.