DAVID Hodgson dramatically revealed last night that he believes he could hold the key to saving the Quakers - because he is personally owed millions by the club.

The manager told a fans' forum at the Reynolds Arena that the debt could give him the power to ensure the sale of the club to the Sterling Consortium goes ahead.

Former chairman George Reynolds insisted last week that, as the club's largest creditor, he would reject a Sterling-backed company voluntary arrangement (CVA), forcing the club to close.

But Hodgson said he had a document which proved he was owed a "phenomenal" amount of money - enough to potentially give him the largest stake and therefore a say in the future control of the club.

He said: "When I left the football club just before the chairman took over I was owed a considerable amount of money.

"The six-figure sum wasn't paid to me at the time.

"By law and by rights I am entitled to make the claim. The amount which is owed to me under these conditions is incalculable."

Hodgson said when Mr Reynolds took over the club he was owed about £6m - an initial debt of £118,000 plus compound interest.

"At this present time there are solicitors looking at this," said Hodgson. "If it's valid then it would make me a very big creditor.

"The only reason I'm doing this now is to hopefully have a say in the future of the club."

Alluding to an expected agreement between Sterling and a fans-backed consortium if the former buys the club, he said: "If I was in such a position to have that power I would insist that the club is given to people who can run the club from here."

He said he had never had any intention of trying to reclaim the cash as it was an "absurd" amount and still did not.

The document containing his claim was passed to the administrators on Monday but The Northern Echo understands that Mr Reynolds' right to veto any deal is unaffected by Mr Hodgson's claims.

Mr Reynolds told The Northern Echo yesterday that he has offered to walk away from the football club with nothing - if the Sterling Consortium cease bankruptcy proceedings against him.

He said he would forego his claimed £20m investment and waive any right to veto a deal to save the club. In return he wants the Sterling Consortium to cease the bankruptcy proceedings and agree to rescind personal loan guarantees he provided.

He has written to the Football League with details of the plan and, although he claimed that Sterling had rejected his offer, said that it still remained on the table.

Mr Reynolds said: "The position is, people are blaming me but I can't give no more. We have given everything.

"The deal we offered them is very, very good. If they lift up the personal guarantees I will walk away."

Hodgson referred to the deal at the forum, telling fans: "I'm pretty sure that Sterling will not allow this club to disappear."

Joint administrator David Field confirmed last night he was still locked in talks with the Football League over its decision not to waive the rules and allow the Sterling CVA to go ahead without Mr Reynolds' consent.

"Tomorrow we have got to go back to Sterling and the Football League and see if there is any room to negotiate or compromise."

Darlington MP Alan Milburn urged all parties to thrash out a deal for the club's future.

He said: "I have had several conversations with the administrator today and he has informed me that a meeting took place with the Football League and the Football Association.

"These discussions are going to continue in the morning. The administrator is trying to put together a viable bid for the club.

"There are a number of individuals and organisations who, if we reach an agreement, have the ability to save Darlington Football Club. I hope that they all realise that their individual interests are smaller than the interests of the club and the community.