HOW mad is the world of football?

As the campaign continues to save lowly Darlington Football Club from extinction, an extraordinary global game of poker is being played to win control of Manchester United.

John Magnier and JP McManus, a pair of Irish gamblers embroiled in a bitter feud with United manager Alex Ferguson over a racehorse, have significantly increased their stake in the club this week, only to be sharply followed by American billionaire Malcolm Glazer.

Are any of them really interested in football? Or is it just about money and power? Most ordinary fans, who have a lifelong allegiance to their clubs, would argue it is the latter.

Players at the highest level earn salaries which are obscene while those playing with the likes of Darlington in the Third Division don't know whether they will be paid from one month to the next.

Meanwhile, in the background, agents are pocketing millions for smoothing the wheels of the transfer merry-go-round.

Our thoughts are not with the tycoons or the agents or the Premiership's millionaire stars. They are with the fans who will today spend their hard-earned wages travelling to the likes of Bristol Rovers, praying for a win that might just keep their beloved club in the Football League.

Good luck Quakers.