THE football league's oldest fan will have no excuse to miss a match next season - he has been given a free season ticket and his own parking space.

Reg Barnett, who is 101, has supported Darlington Football Club for 60 years.

When the club found out that Mr Barnett was not only the Quakers' oldest fan but also the oldest supporter in the English football league, they gave him a season ticket and car parking space number 101 at the Williamson Motors Stadium.

Mr Barnett was born on April 27, 1904, and started out as a Nottingham Forest fan.

He switched allegiances to the Quakers when he was moved up to the North-East in his work as a train driver and has been a loyal supporter ever since.

He said: "I've seen a lot of changes at the club and been part of some important moments in the club's history.

"Football is so important to me and I can only say thank you to all at the club for their generous gift.

"We came so close to promotion last season and I hope that this season will be the year that we make the jump to League One.

Quakers chairman Stewart Davies said: "It's a huge honour for all at Darlington that Reg decided to come and support our club and we felt that his achievement had to be recognised.

"He's an important part of the club's history."