PEOPLE wanting to help a cash-strapped football club have been warned to be on their guard against bogus collectors.

In recent weeks, fans of Darlington FC have been rallying round to help raise money for the club which has been placed in administration.

The fans need to raise £300,000 between now and the end of the season to help keep the Quakers afloat.

Many supporters have been given permission to hold bucket collections in Darlington town centre.

However, unconfirmed reports believe there may be a number of unscrupulous people who are posing as genuine fans with buckets collecting for the club and then pocketing the donations.

Anyone, who is wanting to make a donation should check that the people collecting for the club have proper identification and accreditation allowing them to collect for the club.

The police have been informed and are investigating the claims.