Help for Quakers comes flooding in

Darlington MP Jenny Chapman said offers of support from companies came “flooding in” yesterday after plans were unveiled to launch a community interest company to run the club.

The club received a further boost when it emerged it would not have to pay a £250,000 bond when it emerged out of administration.

Mrs Chapman hopes up to £500,000 can be raised within a week to convince administrator Harvey Madden the club can survive.

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Although talks will continue today with potential funders, the MP said: “I’ve been incredibly impressed with the reaction from the business community and the offers of support have been flooding in.

“There’s a long way to go, but there are green shoots of recovery. Last week, the focus was on rescue – this week we are looking to re-energise and breathe new life into the club in a way which we haven’t done before.”

Mrs Chapman discussed the proposal for the community to take over the club with administrator Harvey Madden yesterday morning.

She then met members of Darlington Football Club Rescue Group to hammer out a way forward for the formation of the community club.

At the meeting, officers were elected to manage the process and a number of fundraising initiatives were proposed.

These include writing to all Premier League footballers asking for a donation.

The rescue group is planning to open a short-term town centre base where offers of support and donations can be received.

The rescue group will approach Supporters’ Direct, which helps fan take over the running of their club, for help.

Shaun Campbell, from the Darlington rescue group, is working on a number of ideas to raise the profile of the campaign.

He said: “The fans should be so proud of themselves for Saturday.

“We’re now making preparations for the game against Hayes and Yeading, and I can’t wait for the York game on Saturday, but now the big push is for donations.”

Among the fans due to attend tomorrow’s away game will be Paul Canoville, the first black footballer to play for Chelsea.

“He’s coming to show his support by standing shoulder to shoulder with the Darlington fans,” said Mr Campbell.

Further talks between the rescue group and Mrs Chapman are planned for tomorrow.

Meanwhile, developers interested in buying the stadium are still understood to be working on their proposals for a mixed leisure and homes scheme to be built on the site.

Concerns have been expressed that the football club would have to pay a bond to the Football Conference once it came out of administration.

Last year, Wrexham was asked for £250,000 in security to ensure it could meet its legal and final obligations after it suffered a crisis before the start of the season.

But a spokesman for the Football Conference confirmed yesterday that these were special circumstances, and Darlington would not be asked for a bond.

However, the club will need to pay back all creditors before the second Saturday in May or, if it enters into a company voluntary arrangement, all its football creditors within three years, the league said.

Bus company Arriva has announced that it will provide free transport for the game against York on Saturday, from Darlington town centre.

Buses will leave Tubwell Row for the stadium every 15 minutes from 1pm. Free buses back to the town centre will also be available.

Hartlepool United last night offered to play a fundraising friendly in the first week of February at The Northern Echo Arena. The Quakers would keep all the proceeds.

Saturday’s collections at the ground raised £8,050.