FORMER Darlington Football Club vice-chairman Raj Singh last night withdrew his offer to buy the Quakers after administrators failed to meet his one-week deadline.

However, Mr Singh has not ruled out his future with the administration-hit club by declaring he was “not walking away”.

Mr Singh made his offer for the club on behalf of his three-man consortium last Monday, the day administrators Brackenbury Clark and Co set their initial deadline for bids.

His deal included a bid for the club, the ground, which is owned by former chairman George Houghton, and the land.

Mr Singh told administrators he would only wait seven days for an answer to his bid because he wanted the situation sorted quickly in order to sort out deals for next season, including players’ and management contracts as well as season ticket and corporate packages.

However, the administration team formally extended the deadline for any offers until May 5 – the first day of business after the final game of the season.

Mr Singh said last night he had withdrawn his offer because he had not heard back from the administrators except for one brief email.

He added: “We are not walking away but that offer and that structure will be withdrawn.

We will go back to the drawing board.

“We are not going to put a bigger offer together. George Houghton is in cloud cuckoo land. He has made his losses and is trying to get them back.

“We are not coming back unless we hear back from the administrators. We will have to wait and see what develops.

“We are disappointed. But like everything else, I am not totally surprised. The fact of the matter is he is trying to sell something which does not match the money that has been ploughed into it.”

He added the administrators’ email quoted “silly figures”

and he had replied to say the figure was not acceptable.

The administrators had said they had received contact from up to six interested parties before the deadline.

However, it is not known how many formal bids have been received by the administrators.

At least one more unknown bidder is thought to be in talks with the administrator, but Mr Singh’s is the preferred choice of the club’s fans.

Mr Singh added: “Obviously the fans will be disappointed, but you don’t throw good money after bad.”

Neither club former chairman Mr Houghton nor the administrators were available for comment last night.

The club was placed in administration in February.

The Quakers suffered a tenpoint penalty which effectively ended their promotion chances.

Clubs can be in administration for no longer than 18 months or two consecutive seasons according to Football League rules.