Darlington Football Club chairman George Reynolds yesterday broadcast his own high-profile message of support to British troops in the Gulf.

The entrepreneur, who has a relative serving with the British forces in the Middle East, displayed his best wishes on the huge noticeboard outside the club's new stadium, in Neasham Road.

The message, saying: "Darlington FC wish our lads in the Gulf a safe return", went up as the ground assault on Iraq to topple Saddam Hussein's regime began in earnest.

"I'm gutted because realistically there will be casualties on both sides," he said.

"There is more to life than fighting, but we have got to wish them all the best and a safe return."