Kenny Dalglish - The Man To Save The Quakers?

A good friend of manager David Hodgson, Dalglish is seen as the man who can put bums on seats and seriously increase the club's credibility.

The Northern Echo claimed in this mornings newspaper that he would join the Sterling Consortium's plans to take over the running of the club - but would have no intention of buying into the club.

Dalglish has already helped the Quakers' once this season, taking part in a fundraising match at the Reynolds Arena in which just over 14,000 people turned up to raise about £130,000 to help keep the club going.

Kenny would also play a big part in in helping to rebuild the club once it leaves administration - using his extensive list of contacts to help.

Administrator David Field is unaware of the Dalglish-Hodgson partnership plan, but as he said, whatever happens when the club leaves administration is nothing to do with him.

He said: "To be honest my role is to keep the club going. What happens after it is sold isn't really anything to do with me."

The Northern Echo revealed however, that other informed sources have confirmed that the link-up is a live possibility.

We already know about Dalglish and Hodgson's close friendship, as back in December it was reported that Dalglish had been acting as Hodgson's advisor on a scheme which would see Feetham's ground developed into a community sports centre.

Mr Field added: "We are losing money every day, so we have to negotiate a way of keeping us going to the end of the season. Basically, we are living on credit until the club is bought.

"If we can keep going to the end of the season, that will give us all some breathing space to reach an agreement with all the creditors.

"This proposal is being investigated by the League, to ensure it meets with League approval. The administrators and the League are still in discussions regarding finding a solution to the current impasse.

"We intend continuing to trade for the foreseeable future to continue to explore all the possibilities open to the club."

Mr Field also confirmed that manager David Hodgson had laid claim to money owed from the club which could see him made the biggest creditor. Mr Reynolds proven debts amount to £5.6m, but Quakers boss Hodgson claims to be owed £6m plus compound interest.

David Field said: "We need 75 per cent of the creditors' votes to pass any deal. If more than 25 per cent of the votes are against the deal it can't go ahead. Even if David is the main creditor, Mr Reynolds has more than 25 per cent of the vote.

"I need to see if we will accept David's claim or dispute it once we have the final paperwork, but if he is the main creditor it gives us a little bit more bargaining power - but not an awful lot."

The Football League last night confirmed that it had not changed it's position on the Sterling deal.

"Our rules prevent a club being unilaterally liquidated against the wishes of its creditors and simply started up again as if nothing had happened," said a spokesman.

"Were such a situation to prevail it would allow liquidation to be used as a means for gaining a competitive advantage over rival clubs.

"The League acknowledges supporters' concerns that this may threaten the existence of the club, but without such a principle it would be impossible to maintain fair competition between all clubs.

"The League now urges the potential buyers and the club's creditors, including former chairman George Reynolds to come to an agreement to secure Darlington FC's future as a League club."

A petition, organised by the Darlington Supporters' Trust, can be viewed and signed here.

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