STEWART Davies describes himself as the "accidental chairman" of Darlington Football Club.

He didn't want to be in charge of a football club but was left with the Quakers on his hands when George Reynolds went out of business

It is our view, however, that Mr Davies was a happy accident for Darlington FC because he has done a great deal to repair the damage caused during the Reynolds years.

No-one can argue that Mr Davies hasn't done everything possible to run the club in a customer-friendly and professional way, and we thank him for that as he hands over to new chairman George Houghton.

And although we can't deny a slight shudder at the introduction of a Darlington chairman called George, we warmly welcome Mr Houghton and wish him every success.

He will need every ounce of his business acumen, as well as good fortune, to make it work.

He has bought a stadium which is both magnificent and crazy at the same time.

At their current level, the Quakers will never come close to even half filling the arena and the club cannot make ends meet on football alone.

Mr Houghton's appointment was preceded by an application from the club to be allowed to hold other events, including concerts at the stadium.

If the new chairman is to make his investment bear fruit, it is an application which will have to be looked at sympathetically, despite the original council promises made to local residents that the arena would only host football matches.