Darlington stadium on time

Last updated : 13 June 2003 By Luke Thornhill

He said: "We are on target to open the stadium for the start of the season.

"There are some things to be done, including a new access road. But it's paid for and work has started on it.

"We have asked the Football League if we can play our first game away from home, but that is just a precaution to give us a little bit of breathing space.

"It's always a race against time to get a new stadium up and running. Most clubs still have bits and pieces to do long after the stadium is open.

"I understand that was the case at Middlesbrough's Riverside, and Sunderland were still doing minor jobs 14 months after opening the Stadium of Light.

"We are aiming to have all four sides of ours open for the first scheduled home game in August. If not we will open what parts we can, but we are working on all stands with a view to being fully open."