IRISH businessman Des Kelly last night confirmed his desire to take over cash-strapped Darlington Football Club - as supporters rallied behind Quakers' boss David Hodgson.

Mr Kelly, managing director of a Dublin carpet and flooring chain, said he was flying into the region today, with fellow carpet firm boss Noel Furlong, to begin talks about a potential buy-out.

He was also adamant that Roddy Collins, who was sacked by Carlisle United after a string of defeats at the start of the season, would take over as manager if any bid were successful.

Mr Kelly's interest in Darlington was prompted by Mr Collins, who has been seeking a route back into football management in England or Ireland, since his dismissal from Carlisle last August.

He has failed to get jobs at Waterford United, Finn Harps and Athlone Town, but told an Irish newspaper earlier this month that he was expecting to secure a job at an English Third Division club.

If the Irish group succeeds in acquiring the club, it says it would give Mr Collins the manager's hot seat at the Reynolds Arena.

"I would hope to do that," Mr Kelly said. "Roddy put the proposition to myself and Noel Furlong and we have been negotiating with him this last couple of weeks. We would certainly have him in mind."

Mr Kelly and Mr Collins are connected by Irish club Bohemians. Mr Collins once managed the Dublin side, while Mr Kelly is its main sponsor.

Mr Kelly told TFM Radio: "We'll have the meeting, see what comes out of it and I hope it works out for us. We'll just have to see if it's a viable proposition."

But Quakers fans have reacted angrily to the development, throwing their weight behind Mr Hodgson.

Mr Hodgson, who has raised spirits around the club considerably with the hugely successful celebrity matches and back-to-back league wins, has condemned Mr Collins for discussing his aspirations on radio.

Darlington Supporters' Trust, which has teamed up with a consortium of business people hoping to make a bid for the club, is thought to see Mr Hodgson as crucial to the Quakers' future.

One senior member said: "Hodgson is very popular with the fans and has made such an impact since his return that we wouldn't want to lose him."