A PUBLIC examination into the business affairs of Darlington football club chairman George Reynolds was adjourned yesterday after he submitted a sick note.

The hearing into why his former business, George Reynolds UK (GRUK), went into liquidation should have taken place at Teesside County Court.

But District Judge John Bailey was given a sick note informing him that Mr Reynolds could not attend. The contents of the note were not read out.

Richard Tennick, a director at GRUK, gave an undertaking, under oath, that he would attend the Official Receiver's office on December 28.

The judge told Mr Tennick, 57, of The Old Vicarage, Bowling Green Lane, Manfield, near Darlington, that if he failed to attend the meeting without good reason he could be brought back to court and punished.

Deputy Official Receiver Paul Baxter told the court that Edwards Geldard, the law firm representing the liquidators of GRUK, was "sceptical" about Mr Reynolds' sick note, as seven days notice was not given.

Judge Bailey made an order that any future sick note must be submitted seven days before the hearing in accordance with insolvency rules.

He adjourned the examination until January 5.

Documents produced by liquidators Deloitte and Touche show that GRUK owes creditors £4.7m.