FOOTBALL fans and players will benefit from new improvements proposed for the Darlington Railway Athletic Club.

Plans have been submitted for the erection of a spectator stand and floodlights to the main football pitch at the Darlington club on Brinkburn Road.

The club is getting the equipment second-hand from the Cleveland Bridge Social and Athletic Club on Neasham Road.

It is essential that the pitch has floodlights if the team, currently in the Wearside League, wish to qualify for the Northern League.

Club secretary Martin Jackson said: "Our main team have improved considerably over the last four years and the standards of the Northern League requires us to have the floodlights and spectator stand.

"We are also working hard to make the club as attractive as possible and the new equipment would really enhance its facilities."

A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council said: "There are certain details, such as the size and height of the lights that need to be considered."

Schools and children would also benefit from the new equipment. Mr Jackson said: "We already hold all the school's football finals at the club and hopefully this will continue."

The club has already had permission granted from the council to build an all-weather pitch together with new changing rooms to replace the existing ones that have been used since the club first opened in 1913.

There is a large demand for this kind of pitch as the other all-weather pitch is at Eastbourne Sports Complex on the other side of the town.

Tim Paver, co-ordinator for the project, said: "The all-weather pitch will provide a community facility for everyone to use, especially schools and sports clubs.

"In the long term we hope to bring in more people to the club."

They are in the process of putting an application together to Sport England to fund the £400,000 project.

Mr Paver said: "The club will have to fund about a third of the cost itself and would be grateful for sponsorship from companies in the region."