Darlington return for pre-season training next week with last month’s Wembley win still clear in the memory, and recollections of playing at the national stadium will be evoked when Quakers’ class of 2000 reunites tomorrow.

The squad that reached Wembley 11 years ago, including the likes of Neil Aspin, Lee Nogan and Martin Gray are getting together for a charity match at Feethams - though it’s not be football they are playing.

Instead, they will be back together in a fundraiser for Darlington Cricket Club, swapping football boots for a bat and pads.

The Wembley team that lost the division three final to Peterborough, will take on Darlington CC in a game that ex-Quakers captain Gray has helped organise.

His former team-mates will be bolstered by some current-day Darlington players such as Ian Miller and Tommy Wright as well Sean Gregan who play for the club at Wembley in 1996.

Quakers lost that day to Plymouth while the defeat in 2000 represented a disappointing end to what remains a memorable season.

Gray looks back on fondly on 1999-00 and is looking forward to seeing some old friends.

He said: “I was very keen to help organise the game, especially as it involved Feethams as I’m very passionate about the place having played for Darlington, so we’ve brought a lot of the 2000 team back together.

“That was a fantastic year, one of the best of my career, and we had some fantastic players.

“There were a lot of leaders. David Hodgson, the manager, brought in a lot of characters and it was a close-knit squad. We stuck together and all these years on I’m still friends with a lot of that team.

“It was such a memorable year, but unfortunately we fell short at the final hurdle. It was such a sad end after everything we had achieved that season.

“That team got broken up within months. The chairman, George Reynolds, made a decision and the team was broken up. It wasn’t a good time at the club, but the 12 months earlier it had been the best club to be at that that level.’’

Also putting on their cricket whites for the day are Adam Reed, Phil Brumwell, Brian Atkinson, Glenn Naylor, Neil Maddison, Alan White and Liam Hatch.

Gray worked with Gregan when they were at Oldham during the 2009-10 season, and the former defender is travelling from his home in the Manchester area to play while Nogan and Naylor are travelling from York.

Gray added: “We’ve got a lot of lads coming for the game, a lot of the 2000 team as well as some current players.

“Sean Gregan was a massive fans’ favourite and he’s travelling up and will be good to see everyone again and get everyone on the scales and see which of us are still at fighting weight!”

“A lot of footballers think they can play cricket so now they’ll get chance to play against Darlington Cricket Club - so the game might not last long.”

Gray’s children attend weekly coaching sessions at Feethams and was asked to get involved in organising tomorrow’s game by committee member, Carl Sturgeon.

Although the club are not in dire straits, Sturgeon explained that funds are required to maintain the youth section.

He said: “The problems at the club are not serious, but since the football club left Feethams income has dropped off and there’s things to pay for such as the groundstaff and the equipment that he uses. Everything needs updating all the time. We’re mainly raising funds for the youth teams upwards.

“Financially, like at a lot of sports clubs, it’s hard work so we’re trying to generate some funds to help with the coaching for the children which is an important part of the club. Our first-team is made up mainly of local boys that we’ve brought through.”

n Gates open at 1pm with the match starting at 2, admission is £2 which includes a raffle ticket. There’s also be a range of activities and games for children including a bouncy castle and a large slide while there will also be a barbecue.

The day’s sponsors are: Husqvarna, Marston Breweries, The Auto Centre, Profix Fabrications, Darlington Boxing and Martial Arts Academy, Darlington Motor Factors, DSM and DNJ.