The Northern Echo’s Darlington Football Club reporter Craig Stoddart has been banned from the press box at Feethams and is now covering matches from the stands.

Editor Peter Barron said: “In banning Craig Stoddart from the press box at Feethams, George Reynolds is guilty of shooting the messenger.

“As well as doing his job as The Northern Echo’s Darlington reporter, Stoddart is also a fan who cares passionately about the club.

“Concern over the future of the club under Reynolds’ chairmanship has undeniably mounted in recent months and Stoddart’s reports have reflected that.

“From Susan Reynolds’ infamous speech which led to a players’ walkout, to the controversy over fans’ favourite Craig Liddle being asked to take a pay cut, Stoddart has been in the firing line.

“He was bizarrely blamed for Tommy Taylor’s appeal to fans to help pay for goalkeeper Chris Porter before Reynolds finally conceded he was only doing his job.

“The truth is that players have made statements to Stoddart, only to be fined for speaking out of turn. Club officials have spoken privately about their concern for the future of the club. And fans have made their feelings plain.

“It is not the job of a local newspaper to act as a public relations vehicle for a football club: to put a gloss on what is happening on and off the pitch, and to conceal criticism. It is our job to reflect what is really happening and the truth is plain for all to see – Darlington are a club inturmoil.

“This is the same newspaper which has consistently praised Reynolds for saving the club and supported his plans to build a superb new stadium – even when controversy was raging over the development.

“Without his intervention, Darlington appeared doomed. The stadium will be the envy of other clubs – but the fans will only come if there is a team capable of filling the seats.

“Nine times out of ten, The Northern Echo is the only newspaper which bothers to send a reporter and photographer to Darlington matches.

“Craig Stoddart is our Darlington reporter and we do not intend to send anyone else to cover matches – even if he has to use his season ticket to get in to watch.”

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