FOURTEEN months before the first league match is scheduled to kick off at Darlington FC chairman George Reynolds' dream stadium, the ground already has the feel of a first class venue.

By mid-September, much of the structure will be in place and work can begin on the finishing touches of a stadium already well ahead of schedule.

This week saw the installation of the pitch drainage - a notable move considering the recent flooding problems at Feethams.

Next week, suppliers will meet multi-millionaire chairman George Reynolds to discuss details such as turnstiles.

But it is the 1,200 tonne of structural steel (three-quarters of the total) and 3,500 tonne (of a total of 6,000) of terrace concrete already in place which are stirring footballing passions ahead of the new season.

Stepping into the South Stand, where a main entrance will be, there are already lift shafts and elevators on either side.

A few yards further forward, the players' tunnel is under construction, although yet to be cosmetically finished.

All around, the terraces give a hint of what a capacity crowd atmosphere would herald.

Mr Reynolds said: "We are hoping to have the steelwork and all the terraces complete and the sheeting and seats in, with the pitch done, by the middle of September.

"It's just fitting out, but there will be something rolling all the time."

The remaining steel frame placement is planned in three weeks, and the concrete in four. The internal drainage system is now "substantially complete", with the remainder due to be finished in four weeks.

Also this week, installation of the silver and "goosewing grey" roof covering has started and will be completed in four weeks.

Every Friday, The Echo's Stadium Watch will bring supporters the latest news on the ground's development.

See the stadium work online here.