THREE separate groups interested in Darlington Football Club will hold joint discussions this morning to seek common ground for a lastminute rescue deal.

Discussions took place over the weekend ahead of a deadline set by administrators for a credible plan to take the club forward.

Without a concrete rescue plan, the club faces imminent liquidation.

The Northern Echo understands there are three interested parties: 􀁥 Darlington Football Club Rescue Group, formed by local businessmen and led by Mark Meynell, the leader of a previous consortium that tried to buy the Quakers after George Reynolds placed the club into administration in the 2003-4 season; 􀁥 A separate group of local businessmen who are putting together proposals for the use of the land, believed to include residential development; 􀁥 Two businessmen who are interested in investing in the club and the land.

All three groups have agreed to meet this morning to seek common ground. The hope is they can formulate one plan to put before administrator Harvey Madden.

Mr Madden is ready to wind the Quakers up if there is no prospect of a deal to save the club.

A source close to the discussions told The Northern Echo: “This is an opportunity to bring three elements together for the good of Darlington Football Club. It is the best chance we have got.”

The club was put into administration for the third time in nine years by former chairman Raj Singh earlier this month.

Representatives from the Darlington Football Club Rescue Group yesterday met town MP Jenny Chapman to try to negotiate a deal that will allow the Blue Square Bet Premier League side to continue until at least January 31.

Doug Embleton, from the group, said: “If we can get the money we can guarantee the club’s future up until the end of this month.

“In that time, we will have two home games against Fleetwood Town and York, which would bring a lot of money into the club.

“We need to prove that this is a viable business and one worth saving.

“We have tried to communicate with the supporters’ trust, but they do not want to work with us.

“They would have been a welcome addition to the coalition of groups trying to save this club.

“They need to act in the interests of the fans. I have had around 50 people coming up to me, grown men – often in tears – telling me how much this club means to them.

“The fans do not want a phoenix club, they want this one and it can be saved.

“We all need to come together on this. As a town, we need to do everything we can to save this club.

“I just hope they do the right thing and invest the £50,000 which was raised by fans last time the club was in administration.”

Darlington Supporters’ Club has been working tirelessly to collect money for the club. On Saturday, it had representatives at Middlesbrough’s game against Burnley and raised £5,760.

It is feared the gates to The Northern Echo Arena could be locked within days, bringing an end to an association with the town stretching back 129 years if a deal cannot be agreed before the administrator completely takes over the financial affairs of the club this week.