THE administrator in charge of Darlington Football Club tonight announced the majority of the first team squad have been released.

In a statement posted on the club website, administrator Dave Clark said the players had been allowed to leave with immediate effect, and confirmed that an interim manager would not be appointed over the summer.

Players have only been paid a percentage of their wages in the three months since the club was placed in administration by its former chairman, George Houghton, in February.

Ten staff, including assistant manager Martin Gray, were laid off on Wednesday.

Scott Thornberry, who runs fans website Darlo Uncovered, said the players being released was not unexpected, but described it as a "sucker punch" for fans.

The statement on the club website said: "Following the end of the playing season and the expiry of the player deferral agreements and considering the reduced levels of income in the close season, the administrator has unfortunately been forced to allow the majority of the first team playing squad to leave the club with immediate effect.

"This decision has been made to enable the club to trade for as long as possible in order to allow any potential buyer as much time as possible in order to make an offer for the club.

"The first team management has left the club and an interim manager will not be appointed so as to allow a purchaser the opportunity to make that decision and to save on the costs of running the club during a period when income is at its lowest.

"Craig Liddle and Neil Maddison have been retained by the administrator and will be taking control of general football management immediately.

"The administrator would like to thank both Craig and Neil for their support."