RESURGENT Darlington Football Club last night cleared the final hurdle in its remarkable escape from the threat of closure.

The Sterling Consortium said the Football League had approved its takeover of the Quakers, to the delight of the club's long-suffering supporters.

Club chief executive Andy Battison and Sterling financier Stewart Davies met officials from the governing body in Preston yesterday to outline their financial plans.

And they were given approval to press ahead with a project to revive the club's fortunes after a worrying spell in administration.

Mr Davies said: "We had to have a meeting to go through our budgets.

"We sat down with their accountant and lawyer and we were given the go-ahead to start our fixtures next season.

"It was very much a 'nuts and bolts' meeting. They did confirm that the fixtures had been arranged and Darlington is in there. We are looking forward to next season now."

Sterling, which has made high-interest loans to lower league clubs in the past, has fulfilled the league's criteria, including giving an undertaking not to loan money to other teams while involved with Darlington.

The news was welcomed by the 1,300 members of Darlington Supporters' Trust, which has been offered the chance to install a representative on the board of directors.

Trust chairman Tony Taylor said: "We are delighted that this part of the problem has been resolved and we are looking forward to a prosperous season on and off the pitch."

The Quakers plunged into administration with enormous debts on December 23.

The following five months were a rollercoaster period for supporters, as reported interest from several parties failed to produce a formal offer.

Mr Davies and Sterling colleague Melvyn Laughton eventually acquired the former Reynolds Arena, and the group went on to make a £700,000 bid for the football business.

A Sterling-funded company voluntary arrangement (CVA) was met with anger by unhappy creditors, who were offered less than a penny for every pound they were owed.

But a deal struck by Mr Reynolds and Sterling was enough to see the CVA pushed through and the threat of liquidation staved off.

Read more about the Quakers here.