George Reynolds
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
George Reynolds (b. 1937) is a controversial British businessman best known for his time as chairman of Darlington Football Club.
Reynolds engaged in criminal activities as a young man, and spent six months in jail for smuggling watches from incoming ships in the 1960s.[1] Later, he established a series of businesses, including a £25m kitchen surface factory based in Shildon and went on to amass a £300 million fortune. He was chairman of Darlington Football Club and built the team a new stadium costing £20 million, which he named after himself. Reynolds was originally very popular with fans but he then took the club into administration and left the club in January 2004.[citation needed] The stadium was renamed shortly afterwards.
He married and had a child, Paul. He built the Witton Hall mansion on the grounds of a cottage in the village.[citation needed] Some extravagant purchases included jets, helicopters and a swimming pool a house next door to the Spice Girls in London, a yacht, Spanish villa and a fleet of cars.
He was tried for charges of tax evasion after being stopped with £500,000 of cash in the boot of his car.[citation needed] The court heard how Reynolds was now almost penniless having sold the houses, cars and yacht. In October 2005 Reynolds was found guilty and sentenced to three years imprisonment. Reynolds was released on 6th December 2006 but is electronically tagged and subject to a curfew.[citation needed] Reynolds now intends to renew his business career.[2]
He invested about £27m in Darlington FC and had a dream of taking the club into the Premiership.
[edit] External links
- George Reynolds in the stands at Darlington Football Club
- BBC story on Reynold's conviction for tax evasion.
