A GREAT deal has happened since the farcical and disturbing years of George Reynolds' reign as the chairman of Darlington Football Club.

When the Quakers' new stadium in Neasham Road opened in 2003, the town was dealing with an unpredictable chairman, albeit one who had saved the club.

It was, therefore, right that the use of the arena was subject to planning restrictions.

Whether it was the right decision to build such a large stadium at that particular location remains open to debate.

But that is history and time has moved on. Darlington FC is lucky to have found itself with a new regime which has brought a professional, ambitious and, hopefully, long-term approach to making the club a success.

What has become abundantly clear is that it cannot remain viable through football alone because attendances are simply not high enough.

The town must therefore see the bigger picture and the need to widen the scope of what is - regardless of all the controversy it has attracted - a huge asset.

Today's announcement that Sir Elton John is to appear in concert at the stadium next summer is undoubtedly a huge coup for Darlington and the Tees Valley.

We appreciate the concerns that local residents will have and they need to be taken into careful account throughout the organisation and policing of the event.

But how can Darlington turn down the opportunity to have one of the world's top performers appearing in its backyard?