North-east football fans have the chance to play alongside some of the biggest names in the game to help save the Quakers.

Giants of the modern game, including Kenny Dalglish, Paul Gascoigne, Peter Beardsley, Chris Waddle and Ally McCoist will be playing at the Reynolds Arena on Sunday - and you could be running out alongside them.

Two all-star games are being organised by Darlington manager David Hodgson to raise money for the Quakers who are perilously close to going out of business.

He is auctioning four places in Sunday's squad. Three will go to the highest bidders - one bid of £3,000 has already been received - and a fourth will go to the lucky bidder whose name is drawn out of a hat, no matter what size the bid.

The four winners are guaranteed to play some part in the two matches.

The first match kicks off at 1pm and will see the Darlington squad take on a team of celebrities.

A second match will kick off at 2.30pm and will see members of the Quakers squads that got to Wembley in 1996 and 2000 play another team of celebrities.

Tickets, costing £8 and £4, are on sale at the stadium.

As well as Gazza, Dalglish, Beardsley, Waddle and TV pundit McCoist, playing for the celebrities will be Alan Kennedy, Lee Sharpe, Bernie Slaven, David Fairclough, Hartlepool manager Neale Cooper, and former Darlington managers Jim Platt and Mick Tait.

Coronation Street's Kirk (Andy Wyment), Tyrone (Alan Halsall) and Tommy Harris (Thomas Craig) have also agreed to play, along with Holby City's Mark Moraghan (Owen Davis).

The Wembley stars who will be playing include Jason De Vos, Robbie Blake, Adam Reed, Phil Brumwell, Sean Gregan and Steve Tutill.

"I'm absolutely delighted with the response," said Mr Hodgson.

"There are going to be some great players on show and I'm sure it's going to be a great day. More importantly, the money raised will help this football club."

Administrators are running the club, which is in such dire financial straits it is barely able to afford its weekly bills.

Money from the games will cover those costs and give the administrators some time to find a buyer.

To enter the auction, put your bid in writing, along with your name, address and telephone number, and get it to the Echo's office in Priestgate, Darlington, or to the Reynolds Arena, or e-mail echo@nne.co.uk.

All bids must be received by midday on Friday.

A public meeting to discuss the future of Darlington FC is being held tonight at Central Hall, Darlington, at 7.30pm.