PLAYERS and staff from Darlington FC will take on a newly-formed wheelchair football team next week.

Darlington Powerchair Football Club will play an exhibition match against a team led by Quakers manager Martin Gray.

The game will be played at the Dolphin Centre, Darlington, on Thursday, December 19, from 7pm.

Mr Gray, whose academy will sponsor the powerchair team in its inaugural season, will be part of a six-man team to take on the new club.

Darlington Powerchair team join the third tier of the national league and is looking for players.

The club is holding a taster session for interested players which will take place after the game.

The Martin Gray Football Academy will sponsor the team’s kit which will be worn for the first time at next week’s match.

Among the powerchair team will be James Radcliffe, a 17-year-old player from Heighington, who aims to be a coach for the new team.

His father, George Radcliffe, chairman of the powerchair club, said: ‘We have been thinking about putting together a team in Darlington for nearly a year and we are running taster session to get people involved.

“We have 11 players signed up at the moment who are practising regularly and we are certainly looking for more.

“The new kits are a very welcome contribution for a new club and we are very thankful to Martin for his help. Having his name, and the link with Darlington FC is great news for a new club likes ours.”

Martin Gray said: “I am delighted to sponsor Darlington Powerchair Football Club and to be associated with such an excellent venture.”