Darlington manager David Hodgson last night thanked supporters who are launching a new scheme to help boost the club's fight against relegation.

With finances tight at the Reynolds Arena, the Darlington Supporters' Trust has joined forces with the Supporters' Club to launch 'TASK' - The Associated Supporters' Kitty.

It is hoped their fund-raising will help towards paying for new players.

Hodgson's players have yet to be paid wages owed to them for November and the the manager last week revealed the club's poor financial state at a fans' forum.

He said the club is unable to attract players from outside the area as it cannot afford the accommodation costs associated with signing loan players.

He believes this offer of support shows the improving relationship between the club and fans during a difficult time with Quakers second bottom of the Third Division and without a win in their last 12 games.

"When supporters as a whole come together under circumstances like this it shows that the spirit within the club and the whole town is beginning to grow again," said Hodgson.

"There is no doubt that this is a very difficult time for the football club and any help is greatly appreciated.

"If the help they give us is successful then everybody will benefit in the long run.

"My principles as a manager are that people will pay the money to watch a good football team.

"And for that reason alone I appreciate every fan that comes through the gates for every home game."

The plan is being launched to coincide with tomorrow's visit of York City, who were last season saved from the threat of extinction after fans raised money. As a result the Minstermen are now owned by the Supporters' Trust.

Darlington's TASK scheme will involve supporters contributing a regular amount of cash in a standing order plan.

Order forms will be distributed outside the Reynolds Arena before tomorrow's game.

There will also be a bucket collection to help kick off the scheme, where fans will be able to donate cash.

The money paid in will be managed jointly by the Trust and Supporters' Club in a bank account and "ring-fenced" for the playing side only.

Trust chairman Margaret Tinkler said: "Many supporters have expressed the desire to do something to show our confidence in David Hodgson and to give him some assistance in bringing in some new players.

"At the same time, we hope it will show the current squad that we appreciate their efforts in not always easy circumstances.

"By pulling together, fans, players and management can hopefully move forward to better times."

And while Hodgson is keen to bring a new striker to the club on loan, he admits any plans must be shelved until his current squad is paid.

"I'm leaving it as it is because I don't know how we're going to come out of the York game with regards to injuries and that sort of thing," said Hodgson.

"I've only got two loans left and I really need to know what area I'm going to use them for and when.

"Because of the current financial situation I would be a hypocrite to bring in a player when we can't even pay our own players' wages."

Meanwhile, Barry Conlon and Ryan Valentine have both agreed to pay for their appeals after the pair were sent off in the 2-2 draw with Scunthorpe on Saturday.

"They genuinely feel they were hard done by and so they have chosen to appeal," said Hodgson.

The duo will have to fork out £600 each and if found guilty could also face a club fine as well as a three-match ban.

Midfielder Clark Keltie is suspended tomorrow after collecting five yellow cards.

Hodgson has also been dealt a massive blow with the news that striker Danny Mellanby is expected to miss the rest of the season with a back injury.

The 24-year-old will undergo an operation in the coming weeks on the troublesome problem.

Winger Neil Wainwright looks set to continue up front tomorrow after scoring last week.

The Minstermen, unbeaten in their last seven League games, will make at least one change from the side which held Swansea to a goalless draw six days ago.

Jon Parkin is expected to revert to defence to replace former Quakers defender Richard Hope, who is suspended.

l Postal donations may be sent to: TASK, P.O Box 343, Darlington, DL1 5PW, with cheques made payable to "TASK". Standing Order forms can be obtained from any Supporters' Trust or Supporters' Club member at the matches, or downloaded from the Trust website at www.darlotrust.co.uk