THE man seen by many as the most likely bidder for Darlington Football Club warned last night that time is fast running out to save the club.

As the second deadline for potential bidders for the cashstrapped League Two club approaches tonight, Raj Singh warned administrators that they could not afford to let the situation drag on any longer.

The Teesside businessman, who has already seen one offer for the club snubbed, says investing his money is becoming less attractive by the day.

Since the administrators extended the deadline for offers, manager Dave Penney has quit to join League One Oldham Athletic and a mass exodus of players is now anticipated.

Mr Singh says he has held preliminary talks with a former international player over taking over the managerial post, should he and his two associates be given the nod.

But he warned his patience was wearing thin.

“It would be wrong if I come across as the big saviour,” he said. “There are bigger and better players out there than me. If somebody comes along and makes a success of it, all good and well. But the fact of the matter is that (at the moment) there isn’t anybody.”

Asked if the time was approaching where he would say enough was enough, Mr Singh said: “I think it is very close.

Not only for me, but the other two guys. They just feel the whole thing is a shambles.

“Every day that goes by, the situation is going to get worse.

“Since last week, you have lost the manager.

“This week you are going to start losing players. They have to realise that.

“The offer is not going to stay there for ever, but there is still a deal to be done if they can get their finger out.”

In order to smooth the process, Mr Singh has urged former chairman and The Northern Echo Arena owner George Houghton to cut all ties with the club, saying that neither he nor his associates were interested in working with him.

“I can’t go back in with George because it will never work,” he said.

“I told him you will be on a hiding to nothing because the people are going to think ‘they planned it from the start’.

“The other two guys are willing to go in only with me.

They would not be interested if he was still involved in any way, shape or form.

“I spoke to one this morning (Monday) and he said ‘this is getting personal, it’s getting messy and I am seriously considering not going in’.

“If they don’t go in, then the situation changes from my point of view as well.

“(The administrators) have had the offer over two weeks and should have made up their mind. If one of the guys (backing me) says ‘I am not prepared to put my money in’, then we are back to square one and we will have to look for somewhere else.”

Now the season has finished, another revenue stream has dried up and Mr Singh predicted the consequences of inaction could be dire.

“I don’t want them to come back to me three weeks before the season starts because you have lost ground on season ticket sales, fans are getting peed off, you need to hit the ground running,” he said.

“The only way you can do that is if you get in there now.

The legal side of it will take weeks and weeks to iron out, but if you can get the terms agreed you can start talking to people regarding managers, regarding players.

“I spoke to a few of them (on Sunday), but I cannot offer them anything because I don’t even know if I am going to be in there or not. Things need to be sorted out pretty quick.”

Mr Houghton declined to comment on the situation and The Northern Echo was unable to speak to the administrators, despite having left messages.