DARLINGTON Football Club finds itself in an unprecedented position this morning. Bitterness, uncertainty and hostility hang over a club ironically nicknamed The Quakers - after "The Society of Friends".

With a fantastic new stadium waiting to be completed, optimism should fill the hearts of every Quakers' fan.

Instead, those hardy souls who pay good money every week to watch their team must wonder what the future holds.

Heads were lost last night as extraordinary scenes unfolded at a fans' meeting.

Susan Reynolds' attack on the players, the fans and the media - though no doubt heartfelt - has served to leave the club at breaking point.

The wife of chairman George Reynolds, herself a club director, branded the players greedy to the extent that she openly suggested that they may have thrown games.

Mrs Reynolds has been understandably hurt by the abuse she and her husband have endured from fans whose expectations were lifted to an unrealistic level by the chairman's talk of Premiership football.

But he did save the club at a time when no one else was prepared to, and it is entirely understandable that she clearly wishes he had never been persuaded to get involved.

It is equally understandable that the players were not prepared to accept such an allegation about their professionalism and walked out.

The damage will be extremely hard to repair and it was with great understatement that manager Tommy Taylor said: "I'm a bit upset at what the chairman's wife has had to say."

This extraordinary saga is about far more than just football - it has huge implications for the town of Darlington.

The new stadium represents a huge investment in Darlington's future but, despite assurances from Mr Reynolds last night that he will not walk away, there are very real fears that the Quakers may never play there. It is vital that those fears do not turn into reality.

First, there will have to be a public apology from Mrs Reynolds to the players and then the people of Darlington must ask themselves this question: "What would the future hold for the Quakers if George Reynolds walked away?"

After a night of lost heads, today is a time for cool heads and calm reflection

Read more about Darlington FC here.