DARLINGTON fans are being urged to come out in record numbers for an allstar friendly to ensure the Quakers survive the summer.

Club administrator Dave Clark admitted yesterday that revenue from the fundraising match could keep Darlington FC afloat while the administration process is finalised.

Brackenbury Clark and Co, the club’s administrator, has set a deadline of Monday for potential bidders to come forward.

Mr Clark said: “We are just waiting now until Monday.

There are talks ongoing but they are only preliminary talks. Nothing will happen before Monday.

“There are a couple of things that the club’s commercial director Christine Balford is working on as regards things over the summer, which will help out the club through the summer.

“We are also packed to the rafters for commercial deals for the last game of the season.

We are encouraging fans to get their tickets early because we are expecting a larger-than-average crowd, even though the past few crowds have been disappointing.

“The sale process can take some time to iron out all the issues that need to be ironed out. The ultimate aim is to put the club through a company voluntary agreement (CVA), which will take a couple of months.

“There is a hole in the cash flow that is still being funded by the player and staff deferrals.”

Mr Clark said he could not confirm who any of the four interested parties were.

Former vice-chairman Raj Singh told The Northern Echo earlier this week he was looking to table a bid as part of a consortium.

George Houghton, the Quakers’ former chairman, has not ruled out himself from a possible consortium.

Mr Houghton is the club’s largest creditor.

Mr Clark added that he hoped the CVA would be approved during the summer, to allow the club to start the season without any further points deduction.

Many clubs, including Bournemouth, Rotherham United and Luton Town this season, have been hit with two points deductions because they did not exit administration without an approved CVA.

However, Mr Clark said football creditors, and other creditors who he expected to approve the deal, would ensure it was passed.

Ms Balford said there had been no changes made to the club’s friendly, which has attracted stars including former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne, Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate and former Boro legend Bernie Slaven.

The game clashes with two televised games featuring other North-East clubs and could be moved from its planned date of May 3.

Ms Balford, however, said she was delighted with the response so far from the fans.

For further details of the game, contact 01325-387000.