A CONSORTIUM linked to a possible take-over of crisis-hit Darlington Football Club broke its silence last night, revealing 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 launch a bid for the club and the 25,000-capacity Reynolds Arena.

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

An integral part of any bid will be the fans having a strong say in how the club is run.

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

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, which has gone into administration.

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

Speaking for the first time about the group's plans, Mr Meynell told The Northern Echo: "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 administrator Wilson Field.

The consortium is now drawing up a business plan before deciding whether to press ahead with a bid.

Darlington 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 in the running of the club, if the trust decides to take up our offer to join and if enough money is raised."

Last night, supporters' trust board member Tony Taylor said the organisation was very interested in the consortium's proposal.

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 and brings it closer to its roots and the town."

The consortium has ruled out any possibility of a separate bid for the football club and a return to Darlington's old Feethams ground.

Mr Meynell, 48, was born in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, and is the managing director of Shropshire-based company Lloyds Animal Feeds.

The company is involved with Seedco Ltd, a joint venture with Farmway, at Piercebridge, near Darlington.

His consortium is the second party to declare an interest in buying the club and stadium. Insurance tycoon Brooks Mileson has spoken to the administrators, but also admits to having an interest in purchasing another club, thought to be Carlisle United.

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