THE extraordinary story of football club chairman George Reynolds, who rose from an early life of crime to a place in the Sunday Times Rich List, has been revealed in a new book.

The multi-millionaire Darlington Football Club boss said his autobiography Cracked It! is a no holds barred story of his life - warts and all.

Last night, Mr Reynolds said he was delighted with the book, produced by Blake Publishing and now available in shops.

It charts his early days, living in abject poverty in a tough Sunderland neighbourhood, where he was subjected to appalling cruelty at school.

Cracked It! also details Mr Reynolds' criminal past, from petty robbery and street fighting to tax evasion and safe-cracking.

It goes on to tell the story of his days as a jailbird and handler of explosives.

It also reveals frankly, for the first time, Mr Reynolds' battles against dyslexia and the authorities.

"It is a great story. It is all true stuff and none of it has been elaborated," said Mr Reynolds last night.

"I am absolutely delighted with the book - it is well worth a read and it should be a sell-out, especially in Sunderland."

In recent years, Mr Reynolds has never been far from the headlines - from taking control at Darlington to his controversial rumour board and an audacious bid to bring Colombian international Faustino Asprilla to the club.

Meanwhile, Mr Reynolds said last night that work on Darlington's 25,000-capacity stadium, in Neasham Road, was making solid progress.

The new ground is due to open in time for the start of the next football season in August.

"The stadium is looking great, there has been a lot of work done and it is really superb," said Mr Reynolds.

Cracked It! is available in hardback, priced £16.99.