Having spent three hours in discussions with the campaigners fighting to save Darlington Football Club this morning, I think it's important to make the following points.

1. STICK TOGETHER

We should all remember that without the efforts of the Darlington Football Club Rescue Group, led by Steve Weeks and comprising a small group of local businessmen, there would not be a football club now. That is the reality.

In some cases, they have hardly slept and the strain is showing but they have done a fantastic job and, above all else, they need to stick together and recognise the strengths of the individuals and of the group.

2. GIVE THE CLUB A BREAK

The pressure on the remaining members of staff at the club is huge.

They are trying to organise a football match between Darlington and Fleetwood Town tomorrow on a shoestring.

Please understand that they are doing their best to sell tickets, make match arrangements, and manage what has become a media circus.

Allowances therefore need to be made if the arrangements aren't quite up to scratch and frustrations creep in.

3. THE MEDIA CIRCUS

If Darlington Football Club is to survive, everyone has to remember the importance of publicity.

There is now worldwide interest in Darlington FC's plight.

That will undoubtedly help raise vital funds and, who knows, it might just bring someone forward who is the answer.

That said, there is a need for a strategy so that the media can be properly managed and the exposure maximised.

It's no good complaining that the Quakers don't get enough coverage - and then complaining when they get too much.

4 THE LONG HAUL

It is highly unlikely that there is going to be a quick fix so continued support is vital.

The amount of support which has been shown in Darlington's hour of need is great to see.

I was at the ground this morning when the lawn-mower started to conk out and club officials thought a replacement would be needed.

An appeal via Twitter by me resulted in a call from Hartlepool United - Darlington's arch rivals - who were willing to drive straight down the A66 with their mower.

That's one example of the spirit of partnership which has been illustrated.

It will continue for the Fleetwood Game and the next home game against York. But what about after that? If the administrator Harvey Madden is in a position to keep the club going how big will the crowds be in February, March and April?

Darlington needs support tomorrow and the York game the following Saturday. But that support needs to continue when the novelty of the immediate crisis has passed.

5. JOINED-UP THINKING

Darlington needs a "fans united" approach, with supporters of football - no matter which individual club - coming together to help.

But there is also a need for the main players - the administrator, the politicians, the campaigners, and the media - to get together to come up with a more cohesive strategy to the agenda: 1) Fundraising 2) Publicity 3) Expressions of interest in the club.

It has been an amazing week, and a privilege to be part of it. I hope the points above are taken in the spirit they are intended.

It is right to say that there have been renewed expressions of interest since the club came back from the dead on Wednesday.

Those expressions are being followed up and talks with former chairman Raj Singh and the owners of the stadium and the land, Philip Scott and Graham Sizer, are continuing.

MP Jenny Chapman is, in my humble opinion, playing a blinder, liaising with the council and the key figures.

The club remains in a precarious position but I can absolutely promise that a huge effort is being made to save it.