A SERIES of three-way meetings will have to take place to save the future of Darlington FC, as the club today reaches one of the most critical days in its history.

Dave Clark, who was appointed as administrator in February, set today’s deadline for potential new owners three weeks ago.

He said that he expected to be in meetings all day and throughout the week to ensure a sale of the club.

However, the club’s former director David Jones, expected those talks would have to include ex-chairman George Houghton because he owned the club’s stadium.

Mr Jones, who was brought in by Mr Houghton, said: “We hope this week that something will be resolved. But the crucial thing is that any deal needs to be done with the former chairman who owns the existing land. It is difficult when ownership is not in one pot. It is not one set of discussions that will need to take place.

“Unless there is a Father Christmas in the mix, I cannot see how anyone would come in and buy a loss-making football club without being able to make a profit on the stadium. I am sure something will be resolved.

“At the end of the day, it is a difficult situation, but it will be tragic for the club if it comes to an end after 125 years because some sort of deal couldn’t be made between the football club and the stadium owner.”

Mr Houghton placed the club in administration in February, but remained owner of the ground.

Mr Jones said he could not reveal any of the interested bidders, but said they no longer included former Chester City chairman Stephen Vaughan.

He added: “Stephen Vaughan is not going to be involved in the takeover of Darlington Football Club. He was one of the inquiring parties but he has not taken it any further.”

Last week, Mr Houghton said he was involved with a bid with Mr Vaughan’s associates.

He also hoped to negotiate a deal with two overseas companies, Otis Lifts, in China, and Schulz Academy, in the US, in both of which he owns shares.

The only other person to publicly declare his interest in the club is former vice-chairman Raj Singh, who paid £1.2m for ten per cent late last year, but left the club shortly before it was placed in administration.

He heads a small consortium, which will meet administrators today.

He said he had been overwhelmed by fans in support of his bid for the club.

Mr Clark said the future process would become clearer this week although today’s deadline could still be extended.

He added he would decide on the best deal on the table.

A new owner would then have to meet The Football League’s fit and proper person’s test.

Club manager Dave Penney said: “The sooner we get a buyer the better. We’d be able to take care of things that need taking care of, we can start managing the club properly.”