The Stadium that Bankrupted a Football Club
Summary
TLDRThe video script narrates the tumultuous history of Darlington FC, a football club nearly destroyed by the actions of its former chairman, George Reynolds. Reynolds, who took over the club with good intentions, ended up plunging it into massive debt by building the Reynolds Arena, a stadium that far exceeded the club's needs and financial capacity. His management led to the club's repeated administration, points deductions, and relegations, culminating in expulsion from the Football Association. However, a remarkable turnaround was achieved through the dedication of the fans who formed a phoenix club, Darlington 1883, starting from the ninth tier. They cleared the debts, achieved promotions, and eventually regained the original club name. Meanwhile, Reynolds faced legal troubles, including a prison sentence for tax evasion. The story underscores the importance of proper vetting of club owners and the resilience of the fan community in preserving the legacy of their beloved football clubs.
Takeaways
- 🎤 **Fan Loyalty**: Despite the ups and downs, the fans of Darlington FC have shown unwavering support for their team, attending matches weekly for about 10 years.
- 🏟️ **Stadium Impact**: The construction of the Reynolds Arena in 2003 had a significant impact on Darlington FC, both financially and in terms of fan attendance.
- 💸 **Financial Struggles**: George Reynolds' financial mismanagement led to Darlington FC facing severe debt and multiple points deductions, impacting the club's performance and stability.
- 📉 **Club Decline**: The club's average home attendance dropped significantly after moving to the Reynolds Arena, highlighting the financial strain on the club.
- 💔 **Personal Vendettas**: Reynolds' aggressive behavior towards journalists and fans who criticized him further damaged the club's reputation and relationship with its community.
- 🚨 **Legal Troubles**: George Reynolds faced legal issues, including an arrest on suspicion of money laundering and a conviction for tax evasion, leading to a prison sentence.
- 🏆 **Community Resilience**: The fans and community of Darlington FC rallied to save the club, eventually becoming 100% fan-owned and paying off all debts.
- ⚽ **Rise from the Ashes**: Darlington FC, reborn as Darlington 1883, achieved three promotions in four seasons, demonstrating the club's resilience and the fans' commitment.
- 🔄 **Name Restoration**: In 2017, the club regained its original name, Darlington FC, symbolizing a fresh start and the community's determination to rebuild the club's legacy.
- 🏛️ **Stadium Sale**: The sale of the Reynolds Arena to a local Rugby Union club helped the club financially and marked a significant step in moving on from its troubled past.
- 👴 **Reynolds' Legacy**: George Reynolds' death in 2021 marked the end of a controversial era for the club, with his actions having lasting effects on Darlington FC.
Q & A
Who is George Reynolds and what was his role in Darlington FC?
-George Reynolds was a businessman who became the chairman of Darlington FC. He paid off the mortgages of seven employees and bought Mercedes cars. He also moved Darlington out of their historic ground and built a new stadium, the Reynolds Arena, at a cost of around 20 million.
What was the initial capacity of the Reynolds Arena when it opened?
-The Reynolds Arena opened with a capacity of 25,000.
What financial difficulties did Darlington FC face after George Reynolds' involvement?
-After George Reynolds' involvement, Darlington FC faced significant financial difficulties. Reynolds had to liquidate his own business and was in millions of pounds of debt. The club was put into administration, and Reynolds resigned, leaving the club with a debt of 4 million.
How did the fans of Darlington FC help the club recover from its financial crisis?
-The fans of Darlington FC became 100% owners of the club and paid off all the debts and money owed to HMRC by 2013. They also sold the Reynolds Arena to a local Rugby Union club and achieved three promotions from Division 9 in four seasons.
What legal troubles did George Reynolds face later in his life?
-George Reynolds was arrested on suspicion of money laundering, with £500,000 cash found in his car. He also pleaded guilty to tax evasion and was given a three-year prison sentence.
What is the current status of the club formerly known as Darlington FC?
-The club, after being expelled from the Football Association, was re-founded as Darlington 1883 and started in the ninth tier of English football. In 2017, they were given permission to change their name back to Darlington FC.
What was the average home attendance for Darlington FC before the move to the Reynolds Arena?
-The average home attendance for Darlington FC before the move to the Reynolds Arena was around 4,000.
How did the fans feel about the size of the ground at the current match mentioned in the script?
-The fans felt that the current size of the ground was perfect as it was packed with people in every corner, creating a good atmosphere.
What was the approximate attendance at the first match played at the Reynolds Arena?
-11,600 people bought tickets for the first match played at the Reynolds Arena in 2003.
What was George Reynolds' personal financial situation like before his involvement with Darlington FC?
-George Reynolds was financially successful, owning a huge mansion with his first wife. After his second wife complained about the memories associated with the mansion, he demolished it and bought a new one for £7 million.
How did Darlington FC's average attendance change after moving to the Reynolds Arena?
-After moving to the Reynolds Arena, Darlington FC, which was in the third division of English football, averaged 5,000 fans for the rest of the season, which was only 20% of the stadium's capacity.
What was the reaction of the fans when Darlington FC became a fan-owned club?
-The fans showed great commitment and community spirit, successfully paying off all the debts and helping the club to achieve promotions. The club became a symbol of resilience and fan power in football.
Outlines
🏟️ The Rise and Fall of Darlington FC
This paragraph discusses the tumultuous history of Darlington FC, a football club that was significantly impacted by the actions of its former chairman, George Reynolds. Reynolds took over the club in 1999, during a time when Britney Spears was topping the charts. He paid off mortgages for employees, bought luxury cars, and even attempted to sign Paul Gascoigne. Despite having a long history at their original ground, Reynolds moved the club to a new, £20 million stadium named after him, the Reynolds Arena, boasting a capacity of 25,000. However, the stadium was underutilized, with an average attendance of only 5,000 fans. Financial troubles ensued, leading to Reynolds liquidating his business and taking on a £4 million loan, which he secured on behalf of the club. This led to a rapid downfall, with Reynolds resorting to threatening journalists and fans. Eventually, he put the club into administration, resigned, and left the club with £4 million of debt. The fans and community rallied, turning the club into a 100% fan-owned entity, paying off debts, and achieving multiple promotions. Meanwhile, Reynolds faced legal troubles, including a prison sentence for tax evasion. The paragraph ends with a reflection on the importance of proper vetting of club owners to protect the legacy of football clubs.
🎉 The Resilience of Football Fans
The second paragraph focuses on the resilience and dedication of Darlington FC's fans. It begins with a return to the game after a linesman's issue, leading to speculation about who the replacement might be. The narrative then shifts to interviews with fans, who discuss their loyalty to the club despite its ups and downs. One fan has been attending games for about ten years and expresses that while the situation hasn't improved, the current stadium size is perfect for the fan base. The fans share their personal connections to the club, with some having family ties to the area or other football clubs. The conversation touches on the possibility of Darlington FC returning to the football league and the personal preferences of the fans. The paragraph concludes with a broader commentary on the role of club owners in England and the importance of fan and community commitment in preserving the identity and history of football clubs.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Darlo
💡George Reynolds
💡Reynolds Arena
💡Administration
💡Fan-owned Club
💡Points Deductions and Relegations
💡Phoenix Club
💡Tax Evasion
💡Football Association
💡Promotion
💡Community Commitment
Highlights
The transcript discusses the impact of George Reynolds on Darlington FC, highlighting his tenure as chairman and the financial troubles that ensued.
Reynolds' business practices, including paying off mortgages for employees and purchasing luxury items, are mentioned.
The failed attempt to sign Paul Gascoigne is noted, showing Reynolds' ambition for the club.
The move of Darlington FC to a new stadium, the Reynolds Arena, is described, along with its financial implications.
The Reynolds Arena's opening with a capacity of 25,000 and the initial high attendance is contrasted with the club's average fan base.
Reynolds' financial troubles are detailed, including his personal bankruptcy and the debt he left the club with.
The aggressive behavior of Reynolds towards journalists and fans is mentioned, painting a picture of his controversial personality.
The administration of Darlington FC and Reynolds' resignation are covered, emphasizing the club's financial downfall.
The fans' role in saving the club by paying off debts and turning it into a fan-owned entity is highlighted.
The sale of the Reynolds Arena to a local Rugby Union club and Darlington's subsequent promotions are noted.
The name change back to Darlington FC from Darlington 1883 is mentioned, symbolizing a fresh start for the club.
Reynolds' legal troubles, including his arrest and conviction, are detailed, showing the consequences of his actions.
The transcript reflects on the dedication of fans and the community in preserving the club's legacy despite challenges.
The importance of proper vetting of club owners to protect the institution and its history is emphasized.
The story of Darlington FC serves as a cautionary tale about the power one individual can have over a football club's fate.
The resilience and commitment of the fans are celebrated as the key to the club's survival and revival.
The interview with fans at a match provides insight into their loyalty and the social aspect of supporting a local team.
The transcript ends with a reflection on the importance of community and fan involvement in football clubs.
Transcripts
are you D fan yeah yeah come every weeks
about 10 years now has it got better
over those 10 years no not
really P pull the gr
[Music]
got this isn't the stadium of today's
match this is the stadium that destroyed
a football club It's 1999 brookney
Spears is about to have the most popular
song of the year and businessman George
Reynolds will become chairman of
Darlington FC he paid off the mortgages
of seven employees and bought the
Mercedes cars by 2001 Reynolds tried to
sign Paul gascoin Paul said no but the
intention was there darlo had played at
their ground fum since 1883 their
average home attendance was around 4,000
but in 2003 Reynolds moved Darlington
out Reynolds built darlo a new stadium
costing around 20 million
he named The Stadium the Reynolds Arena
[Music]
creative this is a man that had a huge
mansion with his first wife then his
second wife Susan complained it brought
too many memories of his first wife so
he demolished the whole thing and bought
a whole new mansion for £7 million the
Reynolds Arena was opened with a
capacity of
25,000 George Reynolds said this is one
of Europe's best
stadiums
11,600 people bought tickets for the
first match played here in 2003
Darlington were in the third division of
English football and averaged 5,000 fans
for the rest of the season that's 20%
capacity in 2003 rennolds had to
liquidate his own business and he was in
millions of pounds of debt to creditors
he also took a £4 million loan from a
Consortium to finish building the huge
Reynolds Arena Stadium he took this loan
on behalf of Darlington FC it all got
very messy very quickly and journalists
that were reporting on the downfall of
Darlington would also say that he turned
up to their houses at 2 in the morning
threatening them he even said himself in
press conferences that if fans
badmouthed him he'd also turn up to
their house he's no longer with us so he
won't be turning up to my house not
happy about that he's no longer with us
it's not a joke just a fact just just
putting it out there otherwise I would
be Shing myself a little bit within 6
months of Darlington moving into the
Reynolds Arena George Reynolds put the
club into Administration George Reynolds
resigned as chairman and director of
Darlington and left them with4 million
of debt so when he took over Darlington
they were in debt he paid off the debt
and then he gave them millions of pounds
of debt out of The Frying Pan into the
fire this hurts and has continued to
hurt Darlington for years they spent the
next 10 years suffering points
deductions relegations they went into
Administration another two times
Darlington were expelled from the
football Association and a Phoenix Club
was founded called Darlington 1883 they
started in the ninth tier of English
football here's my favorite part of the
story The Club became 100% fan-owned And
the fans paid off all the debts and
money owed to hmrc by 2013 they sold the
Reynolds later known as Darlington Arena
to the local Rugby Union club and
achieved three promotions from Division
9 in Four Seasons in 2017 they were
given permission to change the name from
Darlington 18 83 back to Darlington FC
meanwhile George Reynolds was arrested
on suspicion of money laundering and
£500,000 cash was found in his car he
also pleaded guilty to tax evasion and
was given a three-year prison sentence
he lost everything he died in
[Music]
2021
we're only 5 minutes here and everyone's
come back because the linesman's pulled
his car I think that's why give it here
I'll do
it P pull the gr they got
something there supposed to be four
official
yeah to the he literally
isn't he just said that they need to
find someone don't think they have a
backup for official after all I think
they're looking for someone I no I can't
do
it I can't tell if they found someone
and they're just getting changed and
taking a long time or if they still
haven't found someone but if they still
haven't found someone when are you going
to find someone do you know what I mean
it's not like this far to
go
[Music]
[Applause]
we're back underway they found someone
and I'm trying to predict who it is cuz
I didn't I wasn't analyzing the linesmen
before the game I think it could be
him it might not be
[Music]
[Music]
for the level that D at at the moment I
think this is the perfect size of a
ground because there's people packed
into every corner it's a good turn isn't
it about, 1600 I think wow are you D fan
yeah yeah come every week spot for about
10 years now has it got better over
those 10 years no
not
so you guys are all Darlington fans yeah
Cardiff ciff City is your main team so
how come daros your second team oh well
cuz my mom lives here and my dad's from
like Wales and how about you so you're
bur I'm bur yeah like I come to the do
games cuz I don't have a season ticket
for Bora but I'm getting one like next
season why do you come here then cuz uh
it's like I don't know football I like
football coming to see the football
every opportunity you can get it's the
best thing you can do really my first
team's United but I just come to the D
games for to do with my mat and just
watch the foot I like that a lot that's
why like both Liverpool and dar are like
equally I'd say so would you rather
Darlington got back into the football
league and became a League 2 club or
Liverpool won the Champions League I
mean it'd be good if D got back into
like League too so I probably got that
that's very selfless I mean Liverpool
have already won like Champions League
so might as well have D back up
[Music]
there this fascinating story on so many
levels we've got people like George
Reynolds at lots of clubs in England and
we have done for over 100 years it's
just ridiculous that owners are not
vetted properly to keep the memories and
the names of these clubs alive how come
one man come in and nearly destroy a
club and if it isn't for that commitment
of the fans and the
community Darlington would be gone and
everything they've done to be a part of
football and be one of the institutions
in this country in the sport is just
ridiculous that one man could literally
destroy that but he couldn't though and
that's the whole point all right see you
later guys Happy New Year
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