Darlington will again face Sunderland in a pre-season after the Premier League club agreed to provide the opposition for the third summer in succession at Heritage Park.

The clubs have met before each of the last two seasons, the Black Cats fielding a team of teenagers in 2013 before Gus Poyet fielded his first team for an all-ticket friendly in 2014.

Quakers are expecting Sunderland to field a strong side for the match, to be played on Thursday, July 9, and Darlington hope for a repeat of last year’s money-spinning pre-season affair.

A full Heritage Park raised vital funds for Darlington at this year's game is again classed as a fundraising friendly. Adult tickets will be £12 and concessions (under 16s and over 60s), £6. Details of how to buy tickets have not yet been announced.

Darlington manager Martin Gray said: "It is a fantastic show of support from Sunderland and a real coup for us to welcome them in what will be the opening game of their pre-season. It will provide a rare opportunity for our players to play against Premier League opposition as we ourselves prepare for a very important season ahead in the NPL Premier Division. I thank everyone at Sunderland AFC for helping to make this fixture happen."

The match forms part of Darlington’s packed pre-season programme, which will also see York City visit Heritage Park on Tuesday, July 14 (7pm). Adult tickets for this game will be £10 with concessions £6. Under-16s will be able to gain free entry.

Quakers will also travel to Harrogate twice: on July 21 to Town and then four days later to Railway.

Over the summer Darlington will visit a number of North-East non-league clubs, including Whitby Town on August 1, while there will also be matches at Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor Town.

While Darlington return to the town at some point next season, friendlies will take place at Heritage Park as well as league fixtures until work Blackwell Meadows is ready to stage the club’s matches.

Pre-season programme:

Saturday, July 4 v Durham City (a), reserves 1pm, first team 3pm.
Thursday, July 9 v Sunderland (h), 7.45pm
Saturday, July 11 v South Shields (a)
Wednesday, July 15 v Seaham Red Star (a)
Saturday, July 18 v Billingham Synthonia (a)
Tuesday, July 21 v Harrogate Town (a)
Wednesday, July 22 v Marske United (a)
Saturday, July 25 v Harrogate RA (a)
Saturday, July 25 v Redcar Athletic (a)
Tuesday, July 28 v Northallerton Town (a)
Saturday, August 1 v Whitby Town (a)
Tuesday, August 4 v Bishop Auckland (a)
Friday, August 7 v Spennymoor Town (a)