DARLINGTON FC chairman George Reynolds was in positive mood yesterday as he polished the newly-installed glass top inside the reception area of his £20m stadium.

The Football League fixture computer had arranged for the first game to be played at the stadium on August 16; he had decided upon a name for the ground, and work was nearing completion.

"You hear all these rumours about will it be ready, won't it be ready and I just laugh really," shrugged Mr Reynolds as he showed off the newly-carpeted bars and boxes in the newly-named Reynolds Arena.

"People only need to come down here to look for themselves to see that everything is going to plan.

"It has came on leaps and bounds over the last few weeks and we're expecting to complete work next month."

The reception area and ticket office are already operating, and most of the bars - including Bar 66, named after the nearby A66, which will open seven days a week - are complete.

The club shop is nearing readiness which means that attention is now focussing on the players' wives room, the warm-up area for players, the ballboys' room and the media facilities.

"There are still some minor areas to deal with but nothing which is going to hold us back any longer," added Mr Reynolds.