KENNY Dalglish has sent a message of hope to supporters of Darlington Football Club: "I'm ready to do all I can to help."

The Northern Echo revealed on Saturday that the former Newcastle United and Liverpool manager is being lined up to add weight to a bid to save the Quakers.

The Sterling Consortium, which gave former chairman George Reynolds a loan of £4m to bail out the club, has tabled a takeover proposal.

And former European Cup winner Dalglish, a close friend of Quakers manager David Hodgson, is seen as the man to add weight to the bid in the eyes of the Football League.

Dalglish told The Northern Echo: "I've agreed to do whatever I can to help David Hodgson and the club. If I can help, I will - there is absolutely no problem."

He confirmed that he had spoken to members of the Sterling Consortium but he stressed that he did not want to mislead fans about the nature of his role.

"I don't want anyone to think that I'd be up there every day, helping out with what's happening on the pitch. That's Hodgy's job, no one else's, and he's doing it outstandingly well," he said.

The idea is that Dalglish would be a member of the board and a figurehead, using his extensive contacts to help Hodgson build for the future.

Dalglish said he had been touched by the way supporters responded to a fund-raising event organised by Hodgson earlier this year when 14,000 fans turned out to see a host of former stars. The event raised about £130,000 and was key to keeping the club going.

"It was unbelievable and showed that the goodwill is there. It really touched me," he said.

He paid tribute to the way his friend had "turned the club around" since returning as manager, despite the lack of funds to spend on players.

"He's an old friend in a difficult situation and if he needs my help, I'll give it to him," he said.

Dalglish also said it was important to remember George Reynolds' contribution to the club.

"That stadium is superb for any division, never mind the Third Division - it's fantastic. It hasn't worked out for George, but he deserves great credit. That said, the club needs to move on now because everything's in place."

He also called on the Football League to show more flexibility in helping Darlington to survive.

"It would be terribly sad if the club was allowed to close," he said.

Discussions are ongoing between the Sterling Consortium and the administrators.

Reynolds, who holds the key because he is owed at least £5.6m, still has to be persuaded to accept the deal and believes the Sterling Consortium has underestimated the club's value.

The Darlington Supporters' Trust's online petition to the Football League has now passed the 1,000 signature mark since it was launched on Thursday.

The petition is aimed at highlighting the predicament the football club is in and at persuading the Football League to accept the deal with Sterling Consortium.

Steve Duffy, of the trust, said: "We're encouraged that supporters from all over the country are not only wishing us well but also appreciate our complications and the current financial strait-jacket that the club is in."