THE new owner of Darlington Football Club last night vowed to give supporters a key role in the running of the Quakers after a last-ditch rescue deal was accepted by creditors.

Fans breathed a sigh of relief as the Sterling Consortium's bid to keep the club out of liquidation was approved at a creditors' meeting.

A deal between Sterling and George Reynolds, revealed in The Northern Echo on Saturday, proved the key factor.

The former chairman's backing meant that a total of 88.82 per cent of the vote went in favour of a Sterling-funded company voluntary arrangement (CVA).

Mr Reynolds agreed to support the CVA, which offered a total of £150,000 to creditors, in exchange for Sterling dropping bankruptcy proceedings against him.

The takeover needs to be ratified by the Football League but, with the substantial creditors' majority, club officials believe that will be a formality.

Last night, the new regime said it would be virtually rebuilding the club, with Darlington Supporters' Trust having a big part to play.

Chartered accountant Andy Battison, the club's new chief executive, told The Northern Echo: "I am in the process of constituting a new board of directors and that does involve the supporters' trust. I hope they take up my offer.

"I am desperately keen to involve a body that includes 1,275 people. I think the supporters should be listened to and we will be doing that in the future.

"We are looking to rebrand a lot of areas within the stadium. I have made an offer to a commercial manager who has 21 years' experience working in football.

"He has had a look at the stadium and feels it is very much a blank canvas.

"I am looking to establish a very active commercial department to provide David Hodgson, the manager, with the funding he wants for the playing side."

Mr Battison said announcements would be made shortly on the new chairman and new stadium name.

Tony Taylor, supporters' trust chairman, said Mr Battison's offer would be discussed soon by board members.

Sterling financier Stewart Davies said he understood creditors' disappointment at the settlement. But he said: "I think the club certainly has a bright future. We'll put in whatever support is required.

"We are used to running businesses that were previously struggling, it's what we have done in the past."

Yesterday's meeting at the stadium was again a stormy event, as creditors walked away with an amount said to be less than a penny for every pound they were owed.

Mr Reynolds had submitted a claim for £10.3m, but it is understood that the amount allowed by administrators for voting purposes was about £3.9m.

Mr Reynolds can still make representations to administrators Wilson Field to claim he is owed more and is therefore entitled to a greater dividend.

Sterling, which had a £3.3m claim validated, voted in favour, as did Mr Reynolds' cousin and business partner, Richie Tennick.

Those were the influential votes, while the Inland Revenue, Barclays Bank and Hall Construction - the Ferryhill company that built the Quakers' stadium - rejected the offer.

Overall, it meant creditors owed a total of £7,335,588 supported the deal, and those claiming £923,810 voted against it.

Administrators will report developments to the Football League this morning, while Sterling will meet the governing body at the first opportunity.

The business and assets will be sold to Darlington FC Limited, a company formed by Sterling, on Friday. Once the Football League share is transferred, the Quakers will be ready for next season.

Joint administrator David Field said he did not expect any challenges from the Inland Revenue or others against the outcome of the meeting