GEORGE REYNOLDS' bankruptcy hearing - a case which could have a major impact on the future of Darlington FC - is due to resume in just over a month's time.

The case was adjourned at Durham County Court on Wednesday and will recommence in Newcastle on May 19.

It has been brought by the Sterling Consortium, the finance group that loaned nearly £4m to the former Quakers chairman to complete work on the Reynolds Arena.

Mr Reynolds insists he will use his position as the largest creditor, on paper, to block a Sterling takeover of the club unless the group improves its offer.

But if he were to be made bankrupt, that power would be taken out of his hands.

The club's administrators, Wilson Field, said yesterday that it would complete the rest of this season's fixtures.

But the long-term future remains shrouded in mystery, with Sterling and Mr Reynolds still a long way off reaching any agreement.

A deadline of next Thursday was imposed by the Inland Revenue for the club to either have been sold or a voluntary arrangement proposal submitted to creditors.

Joint administrator David Field said: "If either of these has not been achieved, the administrators are instructed to wind the company up, but there is no deadline for this to happen.

"The club will fulfil its fixtures to the end of the season. If an agreement has been reached with creditors by that time, the Football League will be asked to approve the transfer of the club's share (in the League) to new owners.

"If an agreement has not been reached by the end of the season, we will advise creditors that an agreement has not been able to be achieved and will report to court that the administration is over - but that will not take place until after the end of the season."