SCORES of Darlington FC supporters have come forward to offer their help after fresh financial difficulties were revealed.

More than 50 people have attended weekly workshops held by the Quakers and many of these have joined new working groups.

The response comes after the club announced earlier this month that it had narrowly averted slipping into administration for a fourth time.

Supporters were told at a fans' forum that the club still had debts of £100,000 and had borrowed a further £50,000 to ensure the club kept afloat.

Twenty-five people have joined the fundraising working group, with other groups formed to look at supporter engagement, strategy, governance and community engagement.

Ian Wilkinson, a CIC director, said: “Fans have responded to the open and transparent fans' forum in impressive numbers to help their football club.”

The weekly fan sessions are held at Darlington Rugby Club's Blackwell Meadows ground every Tuesday from 6.30pm to 8pm until the end of the season.

Martin Jesper, Darlington FC chief executive, added: “It's worth remembering that the club was facing administration two weeks ago.

“After a period of crisis, it requires a period of stabilisation. Fans' support and understanding at this time is crucial, most obviously by coming to the matches and engaging with the various working groups.”

Mr Jesper said that since the fans' forum several supporters had come forward to reinvest money which has been paid in the previous Crowdcube account, but not invested in the club when the funding model changed.

Although £330,000 was invested through Crowdcube, only £250,000 was later given to the club, meaning fans have left the money in the Crowdcube account or held on to it after getting it back.

“Now that we have demonstrated transparency and professionalism, some people have come forward to reinvest the money because they understand where we are going. We hope others will now do the same,” Mr Jesper said.

The club announced today (THURSDAY) that a commercial manager had been hired to increase income.

Verony Chalmers has previously worked for companies including Vodafone, lastminute.com and Samsung UK.

Mr Jesper said: “She has an impressive track record working in highly demanding commercial and sales environments.”

She can be contacted at commercial@dfc1883.co.uk