RAJ Singh, Darlington Football Club's chairman-elect, has made the first two senior backroom appointments of his tenure and outlined his vision for the Quakers.

Among his most innovative ideas could be to have a supporter-director in the boardroom.

Mr Singh, who describes himself as a self-made multi-millionaire, said he was well on the way to completing a deal to buy the League Two side from George Houghton.

Terms of the deal have been agreed in principle after creditors last week approved the Company Voluntary Arrangement.

Teesside-born Mr Singh has also appointed Graham Fordy as new managing director and Andrew Wilson as financial director.

In a statement, Mr Singh sounded excited by the future but remained realistic as a result of past disappointments at the Quakers.

He said: "We're desperate for the fans to get behind this. We know all too well the empty promises and false dawns which have let our supporters down so badly in the past, so we can't blame them for being sceptical.

"I'm making no empty promises or wild predictions. My only promise is that this is a real, genuine effort by me and my new team to get Darlington Football Club back on its feet.

"There is no quick-fix, it's not going to happen overnight, we're well aware of that. It's a long-term job but that's why we have long-term plans. To make it work, though, we need the support of our fans now."

He urged the clubs fans to buy season tickets to bring a valuable revenue stream into the club.

Mr Singh added: "Mistakes have been made in the past and the club, and its fans, have suffered for it big-time, so I know I will be on trial until they see tangible evidence the club is progressing forward.

"But I know what to expect, I know the challenges we face, and it's a challenge I'm relishing.

"One of the biggest criticisms in the past has been failing to listen to the fans, and that's why we're talking to the Supporters Trust and other fans to get their opinions and hopefully improve that relationship."

One suggestion would be if the club sold enough season tickets, for one fan to be elected onto the board.

Mr Singh added: "I have the finances in place to secure the club's long-term security, there's absolutely no doubting that, but a serious restructuring of the club is also required to release a number of income streams previous regimes have not managed to crack."

Mr Fordy was part of Steve Gibson's consortium which saved Middlesbrough from extinction in 1986. Mr Wilson has more than 40 years experience in banking.

Supporters trust chairman Tony Taylor said: "It's a positive step for a supporter-director to be involved in the football club.

"We need someone who understands the football, its finances and how business is run. The key thing is to bring the fans voice into the boardroom."