NONE of Darlington Football Club’s players were paid their December wages yesterday – and some only found out when they went to a cashpoint.

The news prompted further calls for chairman Raj Singh to break his silence about his intentions for the club as it faces a third spell in administration in nine years.

Most of the club’s playing staff agreed a reduced salary in November because of the club’s financial woes, but for Kris Taylor and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, it was a second month without pay.

No training was held for the players ahead of their league derby match against Gateshead tomorrow – with the gates at their training ground, Norton and Stockton Ancients, locked.

The Northern Echo reported yesterday how caretaker manager Craig Liddle warned the players they would not be paid and to prepare for administration.

But they had heard no official confirmation from Mr Singh and only found out when they went to a cash machine.

Captain Jamie Chandler said on social networking site Twitter: “That awkward moment when you go to your bank and your wages aren’t in...”

Rumours of administration emerged on Thursday as Mr Singh spent the day in talks with his advisors and issued only a brief statement shortly before 7pm.

It said he was assessing the club’s position and would make a further announcement next week.

The Northern Echo understands he opted against issuing a further statement yesterday following criticism from fans, particularly on the club’s unofficial internet messageboard.

Supporters trust chairman Tony Taylor had been offered a meeting with Mr Singh on the chairman’s return from holiday this week.

Despite asking to meet yesterday, he has heard no more from Mr Singh.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Taylor said he had met a “complete wall of silence” and heard no communication regarding any potential consortiums to save the Quakers.

“As far as I’m concerned, the situation today is very much the same as yesterday. If Raj contacted us, we will be there post-haste.

“It is such a great shame that people aren’t talking when we are in this situation. At this moment, we need dialogue.

“We are all in a position where we could be losing our football club, but there are other people out there who are wondering where their next meals are coming from.

“We feel sorry for the employees as well as the players.”

Thursday’s statement said the game with Gateshead would go ahead as planned, but it has sparked some fears it could be the club’s last.

Mr Taylor urged fans to get behind the team, but warned that a third spell in administration could be the final straw for the Quakers.

He added: “As many people as possible should get to the Arena on Sunday to show their support for Craig Liddle, the players and all the employees. They deserve a big pat on the back.

“Meanwhile, let’s see what happens after that.”

Mr Singh became chairman following the club’s second period of administration in 2009. However, in a complicated deal, the ownership of the club and its stadium and surrounding land were split.

A debt owed to Philip Scott and Graham Sizer on the stadium site led to Mr Singh issuing his first threat to quit in February of this year.

He called for fans to back the club and was eventually persuaded to stay on by the club’s FA Trophy run, which culminated in Wembley glory in May.

However, he issued an ultimatum in November to the players to accept a wage cut, to the council to loosen the terms of a covenant on the stadium land to allow for further development and to sacked manager Mark Cooper to agree a pay-off settlement.

A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman said yesterday: “We have yet to receive any communication from the chairman, Raj Singh, as to his intention for the club.

“We want Darlington to have a successful, thriving football club and have always worked hard, where it was feasible for the council, to support the club.

“The call for a removal of the covenant is – and always was – a complete red herring.

“The land and stadium are not owned by the club or the chairman.

“If the covenant was removed, the only people to benefit would be the landowners, who would then be in a position to make a profit by potentially selling the land for development, with council taxpayers losing money due to them.”