THE consortium considering a takeover of Darlington Football Club was last night said to be confident of finding the money to save the Quakers.

Fan Mark Meynell is leading a group of businessmen hoping to make a bid for the club and the Reynolds Arena.

The group has launched a study into a buyout and is urging Darlington Supporters' Trust to become one of five equal partners in the consortium.

Trust board member Tony Taylor said last night that the organisation had held talks with Mr Meynell's group.

"We wouldn't be sitting down for talks as a potential consortium member if we did not feel it was a realistic proposal," he said.

"The people involved have a lot of business expertise and I do not think we foresee any problems on that front."

The Quakers were put into administration by chairman George Reynolds before Christmas to prevent the club being wound up by the Inland Revenue. Last night, Mr Reynolds said that he was not aware of any firm offers.

He said: "Talk is cheap, there have been no offers whatsoever. When you talk money, people run a mile."

Interested buyers, including insurance tycoon Brooks Mileson, say they are waiting for a statement of affairs to be released.

But Mr Meynell, 48, managing director of Shropshire-based Lloyds Animal Feeds, warned: "We are not the cavalry coming over the hill and racing in with a bid.

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

"Should we make a bid, it will be based on the bottom line of what our feasibility study shows."

* Read more about the Quakers in crisis at www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/sport/football