DUNCAN Bannatyne - once tipped as a possible saviour of Darlington FC - has questioned whether the town needs the club.

The self-made multi-millionaire ruled out ever investing in a football club. "I would rather have a sex change," he said.

Mr Bannatyne was writing in his regular business advice column in The Northern Echo, sister paper of the D&S Times. A reader said the town needed the club, would he invest in it?

Mr Bannatyne said entrepreneurs calculate future returns before investing.

"Let's face it, even the creation of this modern stadium has failed to prove that any more than a few thousand hardy souls are interested in coming out to support the local team," he wrote.

"Without spending suicidal sums of money, that is never going to change. Does this town really need a football club? I am not so sure."

But Coun John Williams, leader of Darlington Borough Council, disagreed.

"I believe that Darlington does need a football club. It is a focus for community pride," he said.

"All the evidence shows that towns with football clubs have a stronger sense of identity and community spirit and it adds to the local economy.

"I am behind the football club and will continue to support its place in the future of the town."

Mr Bannatyne, who owns a national chain of fitness clubs and plans a chain of casinos, believes Darlington needs more entertainment facilities. He said a multiplex cinema/bowling alley complex would be ideal, offering an entrepreneur a good return.

Earlier this month Darlington council refused Mr Bannatyne's bid to open a casino next to his Haughton Road headquarters in Darlington.

But this week Newcastle City Council gave him the go-ahead to open a £5m casino close to the Millenium Bridge on the Quayside.

It will create 70 jobs, serve drinks until 2am and stay open until 6am.

"If all local authorities could be as forward-thinking as Newcastle then the North-East would be a more prosperous and dynamic area," he said.

l Club's plight latest: page 3

* Leading article: page 20