FINANCIAL experts probing the collapse of one of George Reynolds' former companies are poised to stake a claim for a share of cash from Darlington Football Club.

Deloitte and Touche, the liquidators of chipboard firm George Reynolds UK (GRUK), have indicated that they will join the long list of creditors seeking some pay-back from the Quakers.

It emerged this week that the football club's creditors were being asked to accept an offer of just £150,000.

That is the amount that will be put to creditors next Wednesday as part of the Sterling Consortium's attempt to gain control of the Quakers.

The financiers' proposed takeover deal is worth a total of £700,000, but once administrators' and agents' fees, legal fees and trading costs have been paid, a balance of only £150,000 will remain.

Former chairman Mr Reynolds, the Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise and Barclays Bank are already among those vying for their cut of the relatively paltry amount.

But creditors' shares will be even less if a multi-million pound claim from Deloitte and Touche is accepted by Darlington's administrators Wilson Field.

Any claim would be in respect of a £6.1m loan from GRUK, later written off, to Darlington FC in 2001.

Joint administrator David Field said: "They have not made a claim yet but they have indicated that they think they have a claim."

The extent of the liquidators' potential claim is listed in documents sent out to creditors as "uncertain".

The creditors' meeting takes place at the Neasham Road stadium and a voluntary arrangement must be secured if the Quakers are to survive.

Football League rules state creditors must be satisfied, but Mr Reynolds - on paper the largest creditor - has already vowed to reject Sterling's offer.

If that happens, the meeting could be adjourned to await the outcome of Mr Reynolds' bankruptcy hearing, the following day.

If he is made bankrupt, a trustee would be appointed to look after his interests - taking away his say in the Quakers' future.

The Northern Echo can reveal that the judge presiding over the hearing will be the same man who dealt with ex-Bradford City chairman Geoffrey Richmond.

Judge John Behrens declared Mr Richmond, who played an advisory role in the recent Leeds United take-over, bankrupt last month.

During the high-profile case, Judge Behrens refused a request for a 12-week adjournment to give the 63-year-old time to sort out payments in respect of a £3.3m debt.

He will be sitting in Newcastle when proceedings against Mr Reynolds are resumed.

The hearing opened at Durham County Court last month, when Mr Reynolds' legal representative vowed to fiercely contest the petition.

The Football League wants Darlington's situation resolving by May 28, leaving a tight timescale for the club to be rescued.