IT has been a long and troubled road since Darlington Football Club went into administration at the beginning of the year.

The Quakers have been relegated further down the football pyramid and, despite the magnificent efforts of a small band of campaigners, it is hard for any supporter to be confident about the future.

Nevertheless, we should take the positives from the fact that we still have a football club in Darlington, albeit one that is badly wounded.

There is optimism that a community takeover of the club could be imminent following “extremely positive” talks with outgoing chairman Raj Singh and it is hoped a company voluntary agreement (CVA) can be agreed next week.

In the meantime, Darlington play their final game of the season at home to Kettering on Saturday.

It is a last opportunity for the local community to show that having a football club is important and to encourage investors from the business community.

And it is also an opportunity to send a message to a man who has, in many ways, held the club together through this latest crisis.

It would have been very easy for manager Craig Liddle to walk away.

But despite being sorely tempted to do so, he has stuck by the club and his players.

We call on Darlington supporters to make the effort on Saturday and let Craig Liddle know that they want him to stay.