THE secretive Sterling Consortium broke its silence last night to reveal that it could install Scottish legend Kenny Dalglish as chairman of Darlington Football Club.

In an exclusive interview with The Northern Echo, Sterling financier Stewart Davies said the ex-Liverpool star, a close friend of Quakers manager David Hodgson, could be lined up for the role.

Sterling will learn next Wednesday whether creditors are prepared to accept a proposal to save the club, offering them a tiny fraction of what they are owed.

If a voluntary arrangement is secured, the group will become the new Darlington owners and bring the Quakers out of administration.

But while Sterling admits it would be a reluctant owner, the group already claims to have big plans for next season.

Mr Davies confirmed that it would seek to appoint directors from a consortium of local businessmen, headed by Mark Meynell.

He said: "We're looking to find directors from among them. I've found them eminently capable local business people."

And he said of the chairman's position: "We are hoping Kenny Dalglish may take that role. I have met him a couple of times and he has asked us to let him know how he can help, so who knows?

"He's certainly a great guy. He has a voice that is still listened to in football."

Mr Davies also said Sterling had agreed a budget for players and the renewal of contracts with Mr Hodgson to allow the club to prepare for next season.

"We will put enough money into Darlington Football Club for next season," he said.

Dalglish, also a former Newcastle United manager, was a huge favourite with supporters at a celebrity fundraising match in January.

Read more about the Quakers here.