Darlington Railway Athletic, one of the region's more prominent and successful local football clubs for many years, have secured a shirt sponsorship deal with the Darlington Building Society for the next three seasons.

The club won the Auckland and District League, the Darlington Charity Cup, the Sacriston Aged Miners' Cup and the Auckland Charity Cup in 2001.

To cap an excellent season, they also won The Northern Echo Local Heroes Team Award.

Following their successful 2000/2001 campaign, Darlington RA entered the more challenging Wearside League and finished in a creditable third place. They were also runners-up in the Durham Trophy.

The club has recently purchased new floodlights and a new stand, which should be erected soon along with new changing rooms and an all-weather pitch, subject to planning permission.

In recognition of the club's ambition and with a strong belief in its future prospects, Darlington Building Society has become the shirt sponsors for the next three seasons.

David Copland, marketing and communications manager at Darlington Building Society, said: "We were very pleased to be given the opportunity to be shirt sponsors of Darlington RA FC.

"They have an excellent track record and are extremely ambitious."

Darlington RA manager David Woodcock said: "We are delighted to have attracted Darlington Building Society as our shirt sponsor.

"It is becoming more and more difficult to attract quality sponsors these days, yet Darlington Building Society has consistently shown that support for local sport can pay dividends through increased awareness and improved business levels.