A CONSORTIUM linked to a possible takeover of crisis-hit Darlington Football Club has revealed that it wants to involve supporters in owning and running the Quakers.

Businessman Mark Meynell, a lifelong Darlington fan, is heading a group which hopes to bid for the club and the 25,000-seat Reynolds Arena.

Mr Meynell, who is an associate director of the club board, has joined three businessmen from the town to begin a feasibility study into the potential buyout.

He has insisted that the club's fans would be an integral part of any bid.

As a result the Darlington Supporters' Trust has been given the chance to become one of five equal shareholders and partners.

Supporters would be urged to dig deep into their pockets to back the group in its efforts to ensure the future of the 120-year-old club.

Collections at the Reynolds Arena have already raised about £5,000 but far more will be needed for survival.

Mr Meynell said: "We would envisage the club being run on very sound business lines - it would stand or fall by that.

"At the same time, there will be no single major shareholder or owner dictating."

He has had preliminary discussions with court-appointed administrators Wilson Field and the consortium is now drawing up a business plan, before deciding whether to press ahead.

Chairman George Reynolds called in the administrators on December 23 to prevent the club being wound up by the Inland Revenue.

The identities of the other businessmen involved in the consortium are being kept under wraps, as is the exact figure being placed on a bid. However, all the members are from the Darlington area.

The group is also waiting for more details about the scale of the club's debts to be released by the administrator.

Mr Meynell said: "This is a real opportunity for fans to have their say, if the trust decides to take up our offer to join and if the money is raised.

"We anticipate there being five partners and any investment required would be the same from each partner, including the trust."

On the footballing side, he said manager David Hodgson would have total control within a set budget.

Supporters' trust board member Tony Taylor said the organisation was very interested in the consortium's proposal and would be considering it carefully. He said: "It would inevitably involve a significant amount of money being raised from the fan base, but we feel on the face of it, such an appeal would succeed if it guaranteed the club's survival." The consortium has ruled out any possibility of a separate bid for the football club and a return to Feethams.

Mr Meynell said: "I'm a Feethams man but the reality is that, having thought about this long and hard, the future has to be at the new ground.

"The assets of the club or the stadium on their own are not attractive, but together they are and we must retain our Football League status."

The Quakers are in the Division Three relegation zone but will be hoping for a big crowd to back them against Hull City at the Reynolds Arena on Saturday.

Mr Meynell's consortium is the second party to declare a serious interest in buying the club and stadium.

Insurance tycoon Brooks Mileson was weighing up a bid. The 56-year-old owner of the Albany Group has spoken to the administrators, but admits to having an interest in purchasing another club.

* A public examination into why Mr Reynold's former business, George Reynolds UK, went into liquidation was due to have taken place at Teesside County Court on Monday. The hearing was adjourned until January 22 as lawyers representing Mr Reynolds were not available.

l Mr Reynolds' application to hold events other than football at the Reynolds Arena will go before Darlington Borough Council on January 21.

* Anyone wanting to donate to the supporters' trust should send cheques made payable to the Darlington Supporters' Trust, c/o 50 Newlands Road, Darlington, DL3 9JW.