Source: Northern_Echo
Houghton tells Singh how to run Quakers
FORMER Darlington chairman George Houghton last night delivered a startling Christmas message in which he told the current hierarchy how to run the club.[LNB] The man who last season plunged Quakers into administration, with the club only surviving when Raj Singh became chairman, contacted The Northern Echo to express his opinions on current situation.[LNB] Darlington are bottom of League Two with only two wins all season in contrast to last Christmas when Quakers were focused on promotion.[LNB] But that all changed in February when Houghton quashed those hopes by putting the club into administration with debts of £7.8m.[LNB] In a 500-word statement, issued exclusively to The Northern Echo, Houghton claimed Darlington should: invest £6m in players and coaching staff.[LNB] sign two good strikers in the January transfer window.[LNB] reinstate former captain Steve Foster to the starting XI.[LNB] Also, manager Steve Staunton came underfire for bringing in too many loan players.[LNB] The former chairman also claims his motive to keep the club alive last season had been a a personal decision to make sure that the Darlington fans had a team to support.[LNB] Houghton said: If I was in the chairman's position, I would invest heavily in the January transfer window to ensure the club's survival and buy two good strikers.[LNB] It's all about the club's survival now and keeping the club in the league.[LNB] The club needs continual investment as when you fall into the Conference, its extremely difficult to get yourself back up.[LNB] Houghton became Darlington chairman in early 2006, soon announcing Quakers would win every game the following season, while he appointed Dave Penney as manager later that year.[LNB] The Tyneside businessman's three full seasons at the helm saw the club finish 11th, 6th and finally 12th last season, when they were deducted ten points as punishment for falling into administration.[LNB] He added: 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.[LNB] 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.[LNB] In the last two seasons promotion was a real possibility brought about through investing large sums in players who could take the team forward.[LNB] 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.[LNB] 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.[LNB] In my time I invested £6m in mainly players and staff.[LNB] This is the level of funds required.[LNB] 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.[LNB] Singh took the reins at The Northern Echo Arena during the summer, but Houghton retains a mortgage on the land at the stadium.[LNB] Many supporters still hold Houghton responsible for Darlington's plight.[LNB] It saddens me to realise the plight that Darlington Football Club now find themselves in, added Houghton.[LNB] 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.[LNB] 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 fulfill 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.[LNB] 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.[LNB] Since Staunton was appointed in early October he has brought in 13 players, eight on loan, with the number of players used this season now standing at 41.[LNB] Houghton continued: 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.[LNB] It's not for me to interfere, however, I am just expressing my point of view.[LNB] He added: I am glad to see the fans are supporting the club and wish DFC a successful future I am still trying to work with the council in relation to the six-a-side land, however the process is protracted and not simple.[LNB] Houghton said in August that that he hopes to pursue the construction of a football academy at the Arena within 12 to 18 months.[LNB] Darlington's home game against Northampton, which was postponed on Saturday due to a frozen pitch, has been re-arranged for Tuesday, January 26, (7.45pm).[LNB]
