FOOTBALL, as they say, is a funny old game. Last year we were applauding the transformation in the fortunes of Darlington FC.

Multi-millionaire George Reynolds had ridden to the rescue, bailed out the club, promised to take it to the Premiership, pushed through plans for a new stadium, and was treated like an all-conquering hero by the fans.

All of a sudden it isn't so rosy. In fact it is anything but. The Quakers fell by the wayside in the drive for promotion, and the team that failed so narrowly at Wembley has been dismantled.

Yesterday, David Hodgson resigned as coach, leaving the club in disarray just ten days before the new season.

Publicly, Hodgson is saying very little so far. Privately, he has made it known he was not prepared to go on any longer under the Reynolds regime.

Meanwhile, the chairman's message to the fans has been: "Trust me - I know what I'm doing."

He raised many eyebrows in the game recently by making a public stand against what he saw as "players' greed", taking the unprecedented step of releasing details to The Northern Echo of players' wages.

By doing so, there was implied criticism of Hodgson's judgement and it is no surprise that the relationship between coach and chairman broke down.

So what now for Darlington Football Club? The expectations of the town have been raised to dizzy heights and there is now a real danger that the adoring fans might turn their backs on their saviour.

If that happens, it may yet have serious implications for the future development of the Quakers' new stadium.

We sincerely hope not, because we have been fervent supporters of a development which represents a significant investment in the future of the town.

George Reynolds says he has no intention of walking away. But he is a man who basks in the strong relationship he forged with the fans last year.

If that is lost, there are many in the town who believe that one of the most colourful chapters in the history of the Quakers may come to an abrupt end