I'VE been a Darlo fan from the age of 11 (I am now 56). I, like many others, was worried about the numerous rumours that are going around about Darlo's future.

So, with this in mind, I called at our new stadium site hoping to see George Reynolds and ask him about the future of the club, the Craig Liddle situation, etc. I was left with no doubt that Mr Reynolds and his wife Sue are fully committed to the success of Darlington football club.

He will not walk away, he does have the club at heart. He had nothing but praise for Craig Liddle. He does not want Craig Liddle to leave Darlo, and, as far as the 75 per cent wage cut, well this he called rubbish. I truly believe this rumour was rubbish. It's like saying to a working man, say on £100 a week, being told he is now going to be on £25. Well, come on, can you believe it?

What I do believe is that a lot of clubs are going to the wall. Clubs are hundreds of thousands of pounds in debt, Darlo is not. Darlo fans should be proud of the new ground.

Some people reading this letter will say I must be on George Reynolds's payroll. I'm not, I'm a Darlo fan, who was worried about all the rumours. After talking to George and Sue, seeing the new stadium, I am in no doubt at all that Mr and Mrs Reynolds have the club at heart.

So I ask all you Darlo fans to stop the knocking and get behind the chairman and his wife. They deserve our support. - Name and address supplied.

EUROPE

THE argument put forward by Bill Morehead (HAS, Apr 10) is a non-starter. He states that the benefits of being in the euro far outweigh any negative aspects, but does not give any evidence that supports this argument.

What we should be talking about is the effect that replacing the pound would have on the British economy. Our economy is doing far better than the eurozone. We have half its rate of unemployment, the lowest inflation in the EU and the fastest growth of any major world economy. This is because we have kept control of our economy - interest rates and taxation - by keeping the pound.

Rather than spurious arguments about the future of London as a financial centre, Mr Morehead should explain how the European Central Bank could set interest rates that would be right for the British economy when it also has to set them for 12 other, vastly differing European economies. He should explain to businesses why they should support the euro when it would lead to more red tape and taxes that are a sixth higher. - Lilian Mains, Council Member, Business for Sterling North East.

A CONVERSATION with a friend in Germany, who is a senior executive with a well-known car firm, revealed a more constructive view on Europe and the euro than exists in the UK.

In reply to the question, how do you deal with directives from Brussels, he said: "We do not regard directives as coming from Brussels. They are arrived at through machinery of which Germany is an active player and therefore they are German."

He went on to say that when a directive comes out, countries look at each other to see what each is doing. One takes the plunge and, over time others follow.

From the citizen's point of view he said that Germans see themselves as Germans as well as being Europeans. There is no clash of identity. The euro did cause some problems where rounding up pushed up prices, but those are worked through and there is only the occasional hankering for the mark.

He said that he cannot understand why people in Britain look at all the minor problems and ignore the clear economic advantages that lead to better life for all in the community. That would enable the community to give greater consideration to those areas of the world that are less well off.

Put what has been said above in the context of the fall in inward investment by foreign firms of 36 per cent as against 12 per cent in Europe, and we have a warning that we should not be complacent.

It is important that we do not take a sectional view on the euro. It is for the benefit of all to have the broad view. We are British but we are also Europeans and, as Britains, we should be able to play the fullest part in Europe. - Bill Morehead, Darlington.

DURHAM CITY

WHAT a shame Hilary Westwell chose to emphasise negative rather than positive aspects of Durham's Millennium Square (HAS, Apr 10).

This £30m scheme is helping to regenerate the centre of Durham but is not yet complete. The Millennium Square will soon be furnished with plant boxes, seats and bins. A sculpture reflecting the part played by local people who worked in the mining industry is also being commissioned.

The Lifelong Learning centre is a superb replacement for the South Street library and the Citizens Advice Bureau has just occupied the community resource centre. These buildings are intended to be seen as active areas to encourage use and not totally hidden from public view.

The Walkergate site, situated below the Millennium buildings, will be developed by the private sector with public open spaces and artistic features integral to the planning approvals.

The overall scheme has evolved over the last six years and is now coming to fruition after much hard work. It was important to start operating the main attractions as soon as possible. Ms Westwell agrees that the new library and theatre are just what Durham needs. We now have these facilities and there's more to come. - Nick Bennett, Durham City Labour Group.

FOX HUNTING

I WOULD never have thought that this great nation would put a fox before the life of a human.

Our streets are far from safe, our health service is a joke, but, of all the promises Tony Blair made, he has kept but one - to stop hunting with dogs.

It had nothing to do with the fact that animal welfare groups put £1m into the Labour Party.

This is the same Mr Blair who was once in CND and who now will gladly send British soldiers to war at the drop of a hat and President Bush's say so. - K Heslop, Stanley, Crook.