“Dawley Day” has come about after the newly formed Dawley Supporters Group decided to help promote the Gateshead clash.

The Dawley Group is the first of a number of groups that the club is building to promote the AFC Telford in the community and it include supporters in Lightmoor, Lawley, Malinslee, Dawley and surrounding areas.

Dawley Day is being supported by local businesses, Wrekin Housing Trust, Lawley Comets, local schools and Telford MP David Wright.

Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet is also supporting the initiative and the event will be attended by council leader Kuldip Sahota, deputy leader Richard Overton and cabinet members Paul Watling, Shaun Davies and Clive Elliott.

As part of the club’s efforts to raise its profile in the community, a series of activities are being held this week involving all sections of the local community.

These include:

– Taster coaching sessions this week at Old Park, Aqueduct and Ladygrove Primary Schools
– Free family tickets offered to local schools to encourage people to attend the game
– Lawley Comets taking part in a five a side tournament at the new pitches at the Bucks Head
– A group of older local residents having lunch at the ground before the game
– A cross bar challenge at half time

Telford & Wrekin Council leader Kuldip Sahota said: “The new supporters group provides a way of promoting the club in the local community to attract new supporters and maintain the tradition of encouraging support for AFC Telford United.

“I am delighted to see the effort being made by the club to encourage fans to feel part of their local club and I am sure that in time this will only lead to both bigger attendances and more success both on and off the pitch.”

AFC Telford United chairman Lee Carter said: “I am really pleased that the idea of the local supporters’ groups has taken off and that the Dawley group have come up with some great ideas.

“I hope that other supporters’ groups will set up and learn from the lead the Dawley supporters are showing.”