THE boss of the North-East building firm which created Darlington Football Club's new stadium last night voiced his support for former Quakers' chairman George Reynolds.

Hall Construction, of Ferryhill, County Durham, is one of the creditors of the ailing club and has put in a claim for about £148,000.

But despite being infuriated by potential financial losses, managing director Stephen Hall said Mr Reynolds should be applauded for fulfilling his dream of building the 25,000-capacity Reynolds Arena.

"I've known George Reynolds for 30 years and I won't criticise the man," he said. "How many other people can say they've put £15m of their own money into building a football stadium?

"George is the architect of what's happened - sometimes he thinks he can walk on water. But nobody can walk on water, you just drown.

"Yes, we may have lost money, but some people there have lost their livelihoods and that is what is sad.

"I am annoyed that we've not been paid and we want our money, but I cannot criticise George Reynolds."

Creditors have agreed to a deadline of April 22 being set for the Quakers to come out of administration. If that is not met, the club will be liquidated.

Darlington is about £20m in debt, with creditors owed just over £2m and £4m outstanding in mortgage loans secured on the stadium.

Mr Reynolds is claiming £14m, which he loaned to the club.

Administrators believe that only an offer of £6m, plus a restructuring of the debts, will be enough to satisfy creditors.

The Football League said yesterday that bosses were monitoring events at Darlington, but could not comment on arrangements between administrators and creditors.