The Stadium that Bankrupted a Football Club

Summary

The 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

00:00

🏟️ 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.

05:03

🎉 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.

Keywords

💡Darlo

Darlo is a colloquial term for Darlington FC, a football club in England. The club is central to the video's narrative as it is the subject of the story about its rise and fall, and eventual recovery. The term is used to evoke a sense of camaraderie and loyalty among the fans, as seen in the dialogue where fans express their weekly attendance and long-term support despite the club's struggles.

💡George Reynolds

George Reynolds is a businessman who became the chairman of Darlington FC. He is a pivotal character in the video's storyline, as his actions led to both the financial success and subsequent downfall of the club. Reynolds is depicted as a controversial figure who initially helped the club by paying off debts but later caused significant harm by incurring massive debts that nearly destroyed the club.

💡Reynolds Arena

The Reynolds Arena, also known as Darlington Arena, is a stadium built by George Reynolds for Darlington FC. It is a key element in the video as it represents the high point of Reynolds' investment in the club and the subsequent financial burden it became. The stadium's construction and cost are central to the narrative of the club's financial struggles and eventual administration.

💡Administration

In the context of the video, 'Administration' refers to a legal process in the UK where a company facing financial difficulties is placed under the control of an administrator to manage its affairs. This process is significant as it marks the point at which Darlington FC, under George Reynolds' leadership, faced severe financial issues and had to restructure its debts.

💡Fan-owned Club

A fan-owned club is a football club that is owned and operated by its supporters. In the video, Darlington FC becomes 100% fan-owned after a period of financial turmoil. This is a critical turning point in the story as it signifies a shift in control from a single individual to the collective will of the fans, leading to the club's revival and debt repayment.

💡Points Deductions and Relegations

Points deductions and relegations are penalties in football that can result from a club's financial mismanagement. In the video, these penalties are consequences faced by Darlington FC due to its financial difficulties. They are key to understanding the depth of the club's struggles and the impact on its league status.

💡Phoenix Club

A Phoenix Club refers to a new club that is formed following the dissolution of a previous club, often by its fans. In the video, after Darlington FC faced expulsion, a Phoenix Club named Darlington 1883 was founded. This concept is important as it symbolizes rebirth and the fans' commitment to preserving the club's legacy.

💡Tax Evasion

Tax evasion is the illegal practice of not paying taxes by willfully avoiding them or underreporting income. George Reynolds, as mentioned in the video, was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and pleaded guilty to tax evasion. This keyword is significant as it highlights the legal and ethical issues surrounding Reynolds and contributes to the downfall of his business and impact on the club.

💡Football Association

The Football Association (FA) is the governing body of football in England. In the video, Darlington FC was expelled from the FA due to its financial and administrative issues. This expulsion is a critical event in the narrative as it represents the nadir of the club's fortunes before the fans' efforts led to its revival.

💡Promotion

Promotion in football refers to the advancement of a team to a higher division or league based on its performance. In the video, Darlington 1883 achieves three promotions, signifying the club's recovery and ascent back up the football league system. This is a key moment that demonstrates the success of the fan-owned model and the club's return to competitiveness.

💡Community Commitment

Community commitment refers to the dedication and loyalty of a group of people, often fans, to support and sustain their local institutions or teams. In the video, the fans' community commitment is evident as they not only save the club from extinction but also pay off its debts and work towards its revival. This concept is central to the video's message about the power of community spirit in overcoming adversity.

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