GEORGE REYNOLDS, the former chairman of Darlington Football Club, has been ordered to pay £36,000 damages to a journalist who wanted to ghost-write his autobiography.

The 68-year-old businessman was sued by veteran sports writer John Sadler, who planned to write a book about the former safecracker's colourful past.

Mr Sadler, who has penned a string of ghost-written autobiographies for people such as Vinne Jones and Brian Clough, thought he had a deal when Mr Reynolds told him: "I like you and I like the way you operate."

The journalist claimed Mr Reynolds - who represented himself in the High Court case - pledged to give him the commission a year after Mr Sadler interviewed him for a newspaper article.

Mr Sadler told the High Court that the former Quakers boss shook hands and told him: "We had a deal and I never go back on a deal."

He told the former Sun chief sports writer that the journalist would make £1m from the book deal.

But the book was written by another journalist, and Mr Reynolds revealed to the High Court that he made only £1,000 from the publication.

The High Court heard how Mr Sadler realised Mr Reynolds' life was a real rags-to-riches story and would make an interesting book.

He claimed that, by a May 2001 verbal contract, it was agreed that Mr Reynolds would cooperate in the writing of his autobiography and that Mr Sadler would obtain a publishing agreement and would write the book.

Mr Sadler said it was agreed that all earnings from the book would be divided 50-50.

He claimed that by subsequently entering into a July 2002 agreement with writer Patrick Lavelle to write his autobiography, Cracked It!, Mr Reynolds was in breach of contract.

He alleged that he had lost a £70,000 advance and royalties for the book, and an opportunity to enhance his reputation.

Mr Reynolds, who lives in Durham City, denied there was any such contract.

He said he shook hands on a deal "provided everything was kosher and above board" but that he shook hands with everybody.

He added: "A verbal contract is new to me."

But the judge found that, by May 27, 2001, Mr Sadler and Mr Reynolds had entered into an agreement over the autobiography.

She awarded Mr Sadler £35,000 for the advance on royalties and £1,000 for the loss of the chance to enhance his reputation.

Mr Reynolds was also ordered to pay interest of £5,090 and costs estimated at about £40,000.