I WOULD like to thank George Reynolds for building The Northern Echo Arena .

He had high hopes but things just did not work out.

A few years ago I placed a £50 bet for Darlington to win promotion.

They nearly did but, alas, it was not to be.

Apparently, £1m needs to be raised to finance a move to Feethams which I think would be fantastic. I hate the idea of sharing with Shildon or anyone else. Its not too late.

While The Northern Echo tried its hardest to encourage people to invest in funding the £750,000 required to save the club money came in too slowly and too late.

I suggest a new approach: ask people to donate whatever they can afford.

Anyone who donates at least £10 will get theirname and address printed in the paper for all to see. This will encourage people to donate.

We could even take 25 per cent of all monies collected and have a prize raffle.

Come on,let’s not give up.

D Metcalfe, Newton Aycliffe.