Darlington Building Society have set-up a sponsorship deal with a fourth local football club with Darlington Railway Athletic becoming the latest to come under their wing.

Wearside League side, Darlington RA, have secured a shirt sponsorship deal with Darlington Building Society, following Darlington FC, Billingham Synthonia FC and Catterick Garrison Town FC in doing so.

RA have been one of the region's more prominent and successful local football clubs for many years. In 2001 they won the Auckland and District League, the Darlington Charity Cup, the Sacriston Aged Miners' Cup and The Auckland Charity Cup.

To cap an excellent season they also won The Northern Echo Local Heroes Awards 2001 Team Award.

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

The club continues to grow and 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 necessary planning consents.

In recognition of the club's ambition and with a strong belief in its future prospects, Darlington Building Society has become 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."

He added: "Darlington Building Society is dedicated to looking after local interests and we feel this includes the support of grass roots sport in our region.

"Darlington RA are an excellent example of a successful club pushing themselves to the limit."

Manager of Darlington RA, 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 shown that support for local sport can pay dividends through increased awareness and improved business levels."