A football legend whose own career shows the vital role of small clubs as a nurturing ground for the game's future superstars is calling for all the stops to be pulled out to save The Quakers.

Twenty two years ago, when the club was on the verge of extinction, Gateshead lad Lawrie McMenemy brought his team of Southampton superstars - including Kevin Keegan - to play a charity match at Feethams.

More than 11,000 turned out for the game and their contributions helped boost the Quakers' coffers so that they could pay off their crippling debt.

Yesterday, speaking at the launch of an amateur football exhibition in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, Mr McMenemy said: "It would be a crying shame if Darlington couldn't survive. So many small clubs are struggling these days, like Darlington and Carlisle, but we cannot let them fold.

"Forget David Beckham and your millionaire footballers, we should support local sides because without them there is nowhere for our players to learn the game.

"Years ago the club faced similar problems but the task is even greater now and more important.

"A football club is often the fulcrum of the town and Darlington people should remember what it brings to the area, the club's name travels around the world and puts Darlington on the map."

During the 1960s, McMenemy transformed County Durham's Bishop Auckland from a struggling side into Northern League Champions and lead them into the third round of the FA Cup.

It was the success and experience he gained with The Bishops that enabled him to climb through the leagues and enjoy an illustrious career in football management- becoming a hero with the Saints, managing Northern Ireland and becoming assistant England coach to Graham Taylor.