A FOOTBALL club is funding advanced training for its head chef to help drive its hospitality business.

Helen Todd has thanked Darlington FC chairman Raj Singh for funding her twoyear culinary arts degree at Teesside University, which involves a 12-hour day on her day off, plus 20 hours of homework a week.

Ms Todd, 40, joined the club in 2004, but says the club is completely different from when it was plunged into administration nearly two years ago.

Management at the club are determined to establish the Northern Echo Arena as one of the region’s premier venues for corporate events.

Ms Todd said: “The last administration was a horrible time, nobody knew what was going to happen, everyone was worried about their jobs and we were going without pay.

“The chairman has turned the club around and everything is really positive.

“Everyone at the club seems to enjoy their job and there is a really good feel about the place, and that’s down to the chairman.

“The course will benefit me hugely and in the end will only benefit the club.”

Forthcoming events at the arena, include a Burns Night on January 28 and a Valentine’s Ball on February 12.