FANS, businessmen and community leaders are working on a plan which could save Darlington Football Club, but have admitted their chances are slim.

Darlington Football Club Rescue Group (DFCRG) is holding a series of meetings with parties who could hold the key to the Quakers’ future.

The group has met representatives from administration firm Rowlands accountants, businessmen Philip Scott and Graham Sizer, who own The Northern Echo Arena, Darlington MP Jenny Chapman, Peter Barron editor of The Northern Echo, and other groups.

Doug Embleton, group spokesman, said: “The group has remained actively involved in plans to try and save Darlington Football Club and has been heartened by the positive response from several other key parties.

“At one of today’s meetings, Darlington’s MP Jenny Chapman was extremely receptive and proactive and has added her support for what DFCRG is trying to achieve.

“We have also been in meetings with the administrator, and various other parties who can play a role in ensuring that the current club survives.

“They are receptive to our plans, though there may be considerable hurdles to overcome.

“While we feel we need to warn the club’s loyal supporters that the chance of saving the club is small, it is nevertheless still very much alive.

“There is a solution that can save this club and take it forward as a communitybased club, and our resolve has been strengthened by the overwhelming backing of the supporters towards Craig Liddle and the team.”

He added there was a “plan B” for forming a new club, but stressed it was only if the existing club could not be saved.

Mrs Chapman said: “There is a slim chance we may be able to find a solution to save the existing club.”

She could not confirm any other details, however it is believed to include negotiations with Mr Scott and Mr Sizer to see if the club’s short-term future could be extended until at least the end of the season.

The pair took ownership of the stadium after a £1.7m loan paid to former chairman George Houghton went unpaid.

The pair are believed to be owed about £2.5m because of interest.

However, plans by former chairman Raj Singh to develop the site hit a stumbling block because of a covenant on the land, and Mr Scott and Mr Sizer’s proposals for the stadium, should the club cease to exist, are not known.

A council spokeswoman said it would be “inappropriate”

to comment on the future of the club or ground at this time.

Harvey Madden, from Rowlands, said he received no further interest in buying the club yesterday.

He further warned that time was of the essence and said he would have no option other than to liquidate the business and end its 128-year history if its limited funds ran out.

He also confirmed that he was looking at the possibility of bringing a home game forward to raise revenue, although the possibility was unlikely.

There have also been suggestions that the club has looked at finding an alternative venue for home games.

A Conference spokesman said it had received no official requests, but would look at any alternative plan as long as the ground was a grade A stadium.