ONLY two years after it all began, Darlington Football Club's dream stadium is nearing completion.

Tangible signs of the last lap in the building project came last week with the installation of the thousands of smart red seats for the spectators.

Inside the stadium, which has cost club chairman George Reynolds more than £20m, the finishing touches are being put in place.

The giant concrete shell is now sectioned into facilities including shops, bars, kitchens, hospitality suites, changing rooms and lavish executive boxes.

This is the stage Mr Reynolds has been waiting for and his pledge to spare no expense on the new home for the Quakers is becoming a reality.

The turnstyles are in place and the lifts and escalators are installed and in working order.

Six giant video screens and light fittings have been ordered from Italy, and deliveries of marble flooring have arrived for the foyer, which is also being graced with towering stainless steel pillars.

"It is not in my nature to cut corners and I am personally choosing the best and most stylish fixtures and fittings available for the stadium," said Mr Reynolds.

On site and awaiting fitting are acres of flooring and carpeting, while the hallways have already been clad in maple and walnut.

Hand-made oak doors lead to the executive boxes, which have been furnished with black granite, wood and stainless steel fittings leading out to airline-type seating with a panoramic view of the pitch.

Galleried areas leading to the upper floors are also being finished, with stainless steel bannister rails topping wood and glass side panels.

The stadium's Platinum Club is taking shape, with ceiling features completed and bar and dance floor areas being put in place.

Separate elevators have been installed for the several kitchens which will service the hospitality suites, supporters' lounge, directors' room and for the executive boxes.

Mr Reynolds said that the impressive progress which has been made in recent weeks should silence the critics who predicted the stadium would never see the light of day.

With the building scheduled to be completed early in the New Year, it is a far cry from the days when the chairman first bailed out Darlington from the verge of bankruptcy.

"It is really exciting to see everything coming into place, particularly as this will be the only football stadium in the country which will open its doors not owing a penny to anyone," said Mr Reynolds.

Although matches will not start until next year, new season begins, the outspoken football boss is planning a pre-season gala match and will open the stadium's ticket office, club shop and supporters bar ahead of the official opening.