STAFF at Darlington Football Club are expected back at work this morning after a bizarre 24 hours during which they were sent home by the administrators.

Brackenbury Clark and Co effectively mothballed the club yesterday lunchtime when they asked staff to leave and mysteriously closed the ground.

However, they denied the future of the club was in doubt and said matters would be resolved within two days.

Last night, chairman-inwaiting Raj Singh said the latest drama at the club had been a “misunderstanding”

and that the administration process could be resolved by next week.

The administration team visited The Northern Echo Darlington Arena yesterday morning to close the ground, offices and ticket office.

The Northern Echo understands they made the decision as a result of the cancellation of the Quakers’ friendly match with Middlesbrough.

The game had been arranged by the administrators to help keep the club running during the summer and pay bills.

However, new Darlington manager Colin Todd called off the friendly last Thursday because his limited squad had been hit by injuries.

Sources close to the club said the administrators were unaware of the decision until Friday.

Dave Clark, of Brackenbury Clark and Co, said: “It’s all a storm in a teacup. There’s nothing more to report at the moment.

“I am not prepared to comment further, but the matter will be resolved within two days and there is no story.”

He declined to answer further questions, except to say gate receipts from the pre-season friendlies were being used to pay club bills, including his own firm’s fees.

The company voluntary arrangement revealed the fees charged by administrators for the period from February 25 to the start of June were £71,837.50.

Sources close to the club said that six staff had been laid off.

They were staff still employed by the administrators on behalf of the old company, Darlington FC Limited.

The Northern Echo understands staff at the club have yet to receive backpay owed to them from during the club’s five months in administration.

A number have since been taken on at the club, ahead of the new company, Darlington Football Club 2009 Limited, being able to trade.

In a statement issued last night, Mr Singh said: “There was a misunderstanding with the administrators.

“I’ve held lengthy discussions with them this afternoon, together with my advisors, and I am happy that the issue is now resolved.

“I’m expecting the club’s staff to be back at the Arena as normal tomorrow.

“The administration process is back on track, and we should complete the whole process by early next week at the latest.

“I know this continues to be a frustrating process for everyone connected to the club, not least the staff, but I’d ask everyone to bear with us.”