Houghton Talks Bull Once Again

by Scott Thornberry - 22nd December 2009

The strange behaviour of former chairman George Houghton continues after he released a 500 word statement to The Northern Echo.  Why he feels the need to I will never know, he seems to be in the same mould of George Reynolds, likes to be in the limelight.

Amazingly he states that the current regimes should invest in the team, just like he did.  That was the same investment that put us on the verge of extinction!

He also states that we should reisntate Steve Foster to the starting eleven.

Talking to The Echo he said  “When I read reports that the club has been unsettled for a number of years I am reminded of just what was achieved during my tenure.

“Dave Penney and his coaches were brought in and with the addition of some talented and costly players results started to show on the field.  

“In the last two seasons promotion was a real possibility brought about through investing large sums in players who could take the team forward.  

“As with all sporting clubs, the players/team and coaches are the backbone. Failure to invest in this area leads unfortunately to disaster. A disaster we sadly see unfolding before our very eyes.  

“For the club to go forward and avoid extinction funds have to be found for quality players that will go some way towards climbing away from the relegation trap door. The present playing/coaching staff are clearly under-funded and have the mark of a team already beaten.  

“In my time I invested £6m in mainly players and staff. This is the level of funds required.  

“When we finally were able to sell the club to Mr Singh, we believed he would secure the necessary funding to take the club forward. This unfortunately does not seem to be the case.”   

“It saddens me to realise the plight that Darlington Football Club now find themselves in,” added Houghton.  

“Through the dark days of administration, when we were determined to ensure that the club survived, we could not have envisaged the serious situation that the club is facing.  

“When we were left with little option to put the club in administration, we still ensured enough money was found to keep the club going and fulfil the Football League requirements in so doing guaranteeing that there would still be League Two club that could fight for its place in the division.  

“Finding additional funds was not a commercial decision; it was a personal decision to make sure that the Darlington fans had a team to support going forward.”

“What doesn’t go down well is too many loan players that need to gel. Structure is key to success. I see that they are not playing Steve Foster, this is a crying shame as he and Ian Miller were the backbone of the defence last year.  

“It’s not for me to interfere, however, I am just expressing my point of view.”