Darlington are in line for another cash boost due to the transfer of one of their former players.

Michael Smith is on the verge of leaving Charlton Athletic in a move to Swindon Town, who are managed by former Quakers boss Mark Cooper.

After coming through the youth ranks at The Northern Echo Arena and scoring six goals, Smith left Darlington in an £80,000 move in 2011 and a sell-on clause was included as part of the deal.

The move comes just weeks after Quakers received £75,000 from Fulham when a clause was triggered in Dan Burn’s contract due to him playing his first senior game for the Cottagers.

A deal agreed when Darlington FC was bought by fans from the administrator in 2012 means the club will get half of Smith sell-on money and the rest will go to creditors of the old company, Darlington FC 2009.

Smith, 22, spent the first half of the season on loan at AFC Wimbledon, where he scored ten goals in 25 appearances for the League Two club.

The Newcastle-born striker infamously scored his first goal for Quakers in a win at Macclesfield Town in 2010 – two days after then manager Simon Davey told the youngster that he would not be offered a professional contract.

That decision was reversed, though Davey soon left and was replaced in time for the 2009-10 by Cooper, who rated Smith highly.

Smith made 29 appearances under Cooper’s sole season in charge at the Arena, though he was cup-tied for the club’s FA Trophy success having had a spell on loan with Workington.