ADMINISTRATORS at Darlington Football Club last night refused to rule out growing speculation that businessman Stephen Vaughan is to be unveiled as the new man at the helm.

According to sources close to the cash-strapped club, an announcement could be made on Saturday during the televised Sky broadcast of the Quakers game with Rochdale (kick-off 12.45pm).

It is being suggested that Vaughan will join former chairman George Houghton as part of a new regime, the source describing the arrangement as "a done deal".

Vaughan, a former amateur boxer, is the owner of League Two rivals Chester City. Tonight, administrator Dave Clark told The Northern Echo: "I am not prepared to say anything about it.

"We have got several interested parties and until it gets to April 20 (the deadline for bids), and we have spoken to all of those parties, there is nobody in and nobody out.

"The situation hasnt changed. If there was going to be that sort of announcement I would be making it."

Asked if he was planning to reveal anything on Saturday, he replied: "No, I am not, no."

In a separate development, former vice-chairman Raj Singh, who is the first person to publicly announce his intention to bid for the club as part of a consortium, has postponed his planned meeting with administrators until the start of next week.

Meanwhile, club officials hope tomorrow to confirm the full details of their planned all-stars friendly game.

The Quakers have planned a money-spinning tie after the end of the season between the club's 1999-2000 play-off side and an all-stars team.

The match was originally scheduled for Sunday, May 3, the day after the sides final game of the season, which is away to Chester City.

However, because two of the region's sides were due to play on the same day, back-up plans are being arranged including moving the game to the Bank Holiday Monday.

Club officials hoped to be able to confirm the date for the match yesterday, but were unable to finalise all the details in time.

Both Sunderland and Newcastle United play televised games on May 3. Middlesbrough's game with Manchester United has been moved back to May 2 because of United's Champions League semi-final with Arsenal.

Boro manager Gareth Southgate and their former striker Bernie Slaven are among the stars lined up to play, as well as Paul Gascoigne, Kevin Ball and Marco Gabbiadini.