Craig Liddle's departure from Darlington edged a stop closer yesterday when clubs across the country were informed he will be made available for transfer at the end of the season.

Northern Echo Sport understands that just days after Liddle was asked to take a substantial cut in wages, the Professional Footballers Association circulated his name by fax at 2pm - although, officially he is not yet available.

Darlington have yet to hand Liddle the paperwork stating his availability on a free transfer, however, the PFA's fax release stated he would be leaving Feethams without a fee being exchanged.

He will remain at Feethams for the final three games of the season and will move on during the close season, ending his four-year stint at Feethams following his move from Middlesbrough in February 1998.

Both chairman George Reynolds and Liddle last night refused to comment and the PFA could not be contacted.

Losing Liddle would be a bitter blow to Darlington fans - and losing him to rivals Hartlepool United would make his departure even more disheartening.

Pool could be interested in taking the commanding centre-half to Victoria Park, providing a vacancy in defence arises this summer.

Chris Turner already has five central defenders on his books, but scouts have been flocking to Victoria Park in recent months, with defender Graeme Lee a real subject of interest.

Southampton boss Gordon Strachan was a spectator at Pool's match with Macclesfield two weeks ago, while Chris Westwood is out of contract in the summer and has yet to put pen to paper on a new deal.

* Due to the demand for tickets from Scunthorpe, the South Terrace will be allocated to visiting fans for Saturday's match with the play-off chasers.

Season ticket holders in the South Terrace can be accommodated either in the West Stand Seats or North Terrace at no extra charge. However, fans moving must exchange their South Terrace ticket before Saturday.

There will be no cash turnstiles available for the West Stand on the day of the game.

* Alan Little has left Halifax after the Conference-bound club released him from his contract as manager. The former York manager - whose contract was due to expire at the end of the season - was taken ill with a burst appendix the day before a match against Leyton Orient on March 2.

Coach Neil Redfearn took over on a caretaker basis but was unable to save the club from being relegated to the Nationwide Conference. A 5-0 drubbing at Darlington confirmed relegation.

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