A FORMER football star at the centre of a row over comments he made at a charity dinner has insisted: "I'm not a racist."

Former Quakers star David Speedie caused offence at a sportsman's dinner organised by Darlington Supporters' Trust by making references to "n*****rs and blackies".

The chief executive of Darlington Partnership, Steve Rose, has written to the trust, saying he was appalled.

But Mr Speedie, a former Scotland international who played for Liverpool and Chelsea as well as Darlington, strenuously denied being a racist and said his words were misinterpreted.

Mr Speedie was talking about remarks made by Ron Atkinson, who branded former Chelsea player Marcel Desailly, a "f***ing lazy n****r" in May.

Although he had agreed Desailly had played badly at that match, Mr Speedie said: "I didn't condone anything Ron Atkinson said, in fact I condemned it. There was a silly joke told about his dog having to be put down because his dog was called n****r. Anybody who knows me knows I'm anything but racist."

Mr Speedie said he has several black friends, many of whom were former footballers, including Cyril Regis and Carlton Palmer

He added: "I don't want to be labelled as part of the Ku Klux Klan over this. If I was a racist, I would be brave enough to say things directly."

Another guest at the dinner, held at Blackwell Grange Hotel on Friday in aid of the Percy Hedley Foundation for disabled children and adults, felt the comments were not malicious.

Alan Grey said Mr Speedie asked if there were any "blackies" in the room and one of the serving staff had been mixed-race, but he felt it was just a silly comment.

Mr Grey said: "Apparently Ron Atkinson had a black labrador called n****r and he joked it would have to be put down but that was the only time I heard it mentioned."

But another guest at the event, who asked not to be named, said he and others had been offended.

Mr Rose, who has received a letter of apology from trust chairman Tony Taylor, said: "Even one use of the word is too many. It's not acceptable, it was used in a derogatory way and is indefensible."

In a statement yesterday, Darlington Football Club said it had replaced Mr Speedie for the club's own sportsman's dinner on December 2. Former Quaker's captain Kevan Smith will now be the guest speaker.

A Quakers spokesman said: "The event at which the comments are alleged to have been made was held completely independently from the club. However, it is important that Darlington FC distances itself from any such comments and allegations.

"Darlington FC is a strong supporter of the campaign to eradicate racism from football and we feel we have no option other than to take this action.