BOSSES at Darlington Football Club last night dismissed as "idle speculation" suggestions that former Leeds United chairman Peter Ridsdale was being lined up as a potential owner.

Quakers chairman Stewart Davies had lunch with Mr Ridsdale at the Williamson Motors Stadium this week, sparking rumours he is in the frame to become the new owner or take a chief executive role.

The club said the meeting between the pair was merely a social occasion, because they are long-standing friends who come from the same part of Yorkshire.

But The Northern Echo understands that there may be more discussions in the near future.

Mr Ridsdale, who stepped down as chairman of Barnsley on Christmas Eve with the Tykes facing financial troubles, has also recently been linked with moves for Blackpool and Wrexham.

At the end of last month, he refuted suggestions that he would be taking over at League One Blackpool.

He said he had watched a couple of the seaside club's matches as a guest of its chairman, Karl Oyston.

Days earlier, he had refused to comment on reports that he was to be the saviour of financially-stricken Welsh side Wrexham, who have been docked ten league points after collapsing into administration.

Suggestions that Mr Ridsdale was eyeing up a return to football with a lower league club resurfaced on Monday when he visited Darlington's £20m Williamson Motors Stadium.

The Sterling Consortium, the club's owner, is known to have been disappointed with home attendance this season, particularly after introducing a series of fan-friendly initiatives.

The financiers in the consortium admitted they were reluctant owners when they took charge last May, but were anxious to get a return on the £4m they loaned to ex-chairman George Reynolds when the stadium was being built.

Darlington manager David Hodgson also admitted to a recent fans' forum that Mr Davies was prepared to listen to offers for the club.

But a Darlington FC spokesman said last night: "Mr Davies and Mr Ridsdale have been friends for many years. Mr Ridsdale accepted an invitation for lunch with Mr Davies on Monday.

"There is no truth to the rumour that he'll be chief executive.

"Anything suggesting that Mr Ridsdale is going to get involved is idle speculation."

Darlington Supporters' Trust last night declined to comment on the speculation linking Mr Ridsdale with the Quakers.