THE administrators of Darlington Football Club admitted last night that it was highly unlikely former chairman George Reynolds would reclaim the Quakers.

Mr Reynolds stepped down earlier this month after nearly five years of drama on and off the pitch, and rumours had been circulating that he was planning a comeback.

But administrators' representative David Elliott, addressing the media in the Reynolds Arena's presidential suite, said such a move was not expected.

Mr Reynolds has reneged on a deal to meet the cost of any shortfalls while the club was in administration.

Mr Elliott said this appeared to indicate that the man whose dream came true with the building of the 25,000-capacity stadium did not have the financial ability to return to its hot-seat.

"I would be surprised if he is able to make a bid as he has not honoured what he said he would," said Mr Elliott.

Mr Reynolds is a creditor of the club, but did not attend yesterday's creditors' meeting because he was appearing at Teesside County Court.

The last set of accounts, from April 2002, showed that Mr Reynolds loaned the club £5.6m. He now says the figure is in the region of £14m.

However, Mr Reynolds had no say in yesterday's creditors' vote, when it was agreed to set a deadline of April 22 for the club to come out of administration.

Mr Elliott said: "Mr Reynolds had the ability to vote but he did not because he was not represented."

The countdown to the deadline has now begun and the question mark hanging over the club is causing concern.

Tony Taylor, of Darlington Supporters' Trust, said that, despite the critical situation, the consortium of local businesspeople planning a bid remained hopeful.

"We are beginning to get a feel of what the total figures are, but until we get the statement of affairs from directors, we are still very much in the dark," he said.

"We are at the stage where the business plan is pretty close to being finalised and we are having it independently looked at.

"We think it is going to be a viable exercise and expect to be able to make a bid."

Darlington MP Alan Milburn said: "The club is part and parcel of Darlington and I am obviously extremely concerned about the position the club is in.

"There is clearly a community groundswell behind the club and I strongly support all those efforts.

"In the meantime, I will do all I can to try to ensure that the club has a lifeline both in the short-term and the long-term."

Mr Milburn has raised the issue with former Tory Party chairman Brian Mawhinney, who is chairman of the Football League, in the hope of finding a way forward.