Liddle is determined to end his Darlington nightmare

Liddle, a firm favourite of the fans with his no-nonsense displays, claims he has had a nightmare summer, and wants to move on for the sake of his career and family.

Liddle revealed that Paul Jewell, the new boss of Sheffield Wednesday, has made Quakers a cash-plus- players offer for him, but it has been turned down flat.

"I always said that I wanted to stay at the club for the rest of my career, but things have changed now," said Liddle.

"This has been the worst summer I've ever had as a footballer.

"The PFA have told me that I'm entitled to a free, but the club won't give me one. I would take the club to a tribunal, but I don't want the hassle of going to a tribunal and causing unrest.

"I have had problems with my wages all through the summer and I've just had enough.

"I was promised a free transfer if the club didn't get promotion.

"After the meeting on Wednesday, I went to see the chairman about leaving, but he told me that every player at the club is entitled to a free except me.

"Sheffield Wednesday have made Darlington an offer - Stoke, Burnley and Bristol City have also been interested - but I've been told that the club believes I'm under contract.

"I think it's a great opportunity for me, and I want to do what's best for me and my family. But it looks like I'll have to wait.

"I will still give 100 per cent, and give Gary Bennett my full support, but I want people to know my side of the story."

The club's public relations director, Luke Raine, says Liddle is not entitled to a free transfer.

"Craig is still under contract to us for 12 months, and we won't release him on a free," said Raine.

"I've spoken to Sheffield Wednesday, and they said they'll only be interested in Craig if he is available on a Bosman, which obviously he isn't.

"They said nothing about offering cash and players in exchange for him.

"We don't want Craig to leave, simple as that. We thought that his deal was settled and he was happy with his terms before the end of the season. He is part of our plans."

Liddle will be part of the 22-man squad which manager Gary Bennett is taking to Scarborough today for their two matches over the weekend, beginning against Dutch club Siol at noon today.

Bennett sees the weekend as a valuable exercise in more ways than one, especially with the opening League trip to Rochdale just a week away.

"We're going to have a look at one or two things," he said.

"We need to look at our shape and our formation, so we'll be trying people in different positions.

"Maybe there's only a week to go to the start of the new season, but we'll learn a lot from this weekend. We'll know what we need and what we don't need. We're looking forward to it."

Bennett added another new face to his squad yesterday, signing midfielder Richard Hodgson on a free after the teenager was released by Nottingham Forest.

He also gave outings to several players in the friendly at Ashington on Thursday night, and he could pursue his interest in Brad Piercewright, a defender who has been at Northampton and QPR.

But he admits one of his priorities is cover for Andy Collett, after the summer departure of Mark Samways.

Bennett only has teenage keeper Keith Finch - the hero of the FA Cup tie against Southport last season - on the books.

"I know we need cover, and that's something we're working on now. The quicker we can solve it the better."

Meanwhile, Raine said that Bennett will be given "every chance" to take on the manager's role permanently.

"It's his job if he can prove he can do it," said Raine.

"He will be given every chance, and there will be no pressure put upon him.

"We've had enough comings and goings. We want to steady the ship now.

"Gary is very positive about the way he wants to do things, and he's trying to bring players in."

Raine has received several calls already from out of work managers. It is rumoured former Sunderland midfielder Paul Bracewell is the latest person to express an interest, but Raine said: "We have no plans to hold interviews."