A group of footy-mad children will enjoy a coaching day with a difference when Darlington entertain Forest Green Rovers this weekend.

Hundreds of local youngsters have already been enjoying Darlington's new Saturday Soccer Skills Club with former player Neil Maddison.

The ex-Quakers star has teamed up with Hummersknott School to hold the six-hour matchday experience for seven to 13-year-olds.

That means there'll be another large bunch of loud youngsters enjoying Saturday's game at the Northern Echo Arena!

"It really is great fun and all the children really enjoy it," said Maddison, who played more than 100 games for his hometown club between 2001 and 2007.

"We've developed the Saturday Soccer Club over the last few weeks and they're proving really popular with local children.

"The great thing for them is that our main aim is for them to enjoy it first and foremost. Yes it's a good opportunity for the more developed footballers to enhance themselves but the emphasis is very much on fun, and it seems to be going down very well!"

The Saturday club on home matchdays costs just £15 each and starts with a 90-minute coaching session followed by a trip to the Arena to watch Darlington in action, which involves a unique pitchside experience before watching the big game.

The day starts at 11am with a coaching session and finishes at 5.30pm after the game. All children can be collected from the ground and must take their own shirt, shorts, socks, trainers, warm clothes, shin pads, plenty of drinks and a packed lunch.

To book a place or for more details, call the Darlington FC youth department on 01325 387015.