TWELVE months ago contractors began work on the construction of Darlington Football Club's multi-million pound stadium.

After winning the argument with protestors, the Quaker's chairman George Reynolds kept his promise to the fans and ordered the start of building work on the Neasham Road site.

Mr Reynolds selected North-East developers Hall Construction Services Ltd, for the mammoth project and together the wealthy football boss and the company have turned the dream into real- ity.

And what a difference a year has made.

Where there was once nothing more than rough meadow land now stands a majestic stadium.

Week by week, the new boys to the building of football grounds have kept meticulously to tight schedules. Hall's expertise has already attracted the attention of several other clubs in the country looking to build new stadia.

In its latest progress report Hall's revealed that work was still well on schedule for the August 2002 completion date.

They reported the installation of party walls forming the rooms, hospitality suites and executive boxes are well advanced.

The extensive installation of electrical and mechanical services within the stadium has also commenced and will continue for the next six months.

The pond forming the wild life centre is now full of water and ready for landscaping.

And with seats ready to be installed on the rows of gleaming terraces the emerald green pitch continues to thrive and is now being cut every two weeks.

Delighted with the results of the 12 months of hard work Mr Reynolds, who is paying for the new stadium from his own pocket, said yesterday: "Everything is coming into place, we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel.''

He added: "Maybe now the doubters will believe the evidence of their own eyes, Darlington clearly has its own football stadium and I make supporters another promise. Once it is completed, it will be simply the best.'