George Reynolds, the colourful and controversial former Darlington owner who was also a vocal supporter of ex-Carlisle United supremo Michael Knighton, has died.
The former safe-cracker turned millionaire businessman was in his eighties.
Tributes have been paid to the man who was known in football for his flamboyant stewardship of Darlington.
He also had a number of run-ins with the law and spent time in prison for a range of offences.
During his time in football he was also an ally of controversial ex-Blues owner Knighton at the time the latter's Blues regime was coming under strong fire by fans.
Reynolds often spoke out in support of Knighton, and even offered him a job as commercial manager at Darlo after Knighton's decade with the Blues ended.
A remarkable north-east character, Sunderland-born Reynolds was jailed for safe-cracking and theft in the 1960s and 70s.
He went on to establish a multi-million chipboard business.
He bought Darlington Football club in 1999 and went on to build a new 25,000-seater stadium on the edge of the town which he named after himself.
His tenure infamously included the time in 2002 when he paraded ex-Newcastle star Faustino Asprilla to home fans before a game against the Blues - only for the Colombian never to make an appearance for the club.
His reign eventually unravelled as the Quakers fell into administration.
Reynolds was later jailed for three years for tax evasion, while his later business life include the running of an e-cigarette shop.
Former editor of The Northern Echo, Peter Barron, today said: “There is no doubt that George Reynolds was an extraordinary and colourful character with a truly great story to tell about how he went from petty crook to millionaire businessman and chairman of Darlington Football Club.
"There are those who enjoyed his company, found him entertaining, and admired him for his self-belief, determination, and achievements in business.
“However, there is also no hiding from the fact that he was a criminal who resorted to bullying when he didn’t get his own way. He had his admirers but there is no shortage of people in the North-East who had bad and often frightening experiences with him, both personally and professionally.”
Reynolds was last in court in March this year when he was made the subject of restraining orders relating to three councillors over plans to build holiday pods.
That followed a conviction in 2019 for harassing a councillor.
George Reynolds, 83, went to the home of Heather Smith and wrote "unpleasant and threatening" letters in a row over a planned leisure development.
Broadcaster Paul 'Goffy' Gough tweeted: "Sad news re George Reynolds today - the passing of a generation. Those days with George on Century Radio were the best fun ever. I have also loved our lengthy chats in recent weeks via the phone. Rest in peace George."
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