A SUPPORTERS group has thrown its weight behind a former club vice-chairman’s bid to rescue Darlington Football Club.

Raj Singh was the only person known to have tabled a bid for the troubled club by the original Monday deadline set by administrators.

The deadline has been extended until Tuesday, May 5.

However, solicitors on behalf of Brackenbury Clark and Co released a statement on Monday to announce a two-week extension to the deadline.

Following a meeting with administrators, Mr Singh made a bid for the club, ground and land on behalf of his three-man consortium.

He told administrators he wanted a swift response to his bid so that preparations could start for next season.

Among his concerns are sorting out players and management staff’s contracts as a result of agreed wage deferrals during the administration process.

He also wants to finalise season ticket and corporate packages.

He had publicised such deals only weeks before chairman George Houghton put the club into administration in February.

Darlington Supporters’ Trust has spoken to Mr Singh regarding his bid for the club, after which it released a statement to support him.

It said: “Darlington Supporters’ Trust is today offering its public support to Raj Singh in his bid to take over Darlington Football Club.

“We feel he has the interests of the club and its supporters at heart and is looking to give Darlington FC a viable future.

“We have spoken with Mr Singh and are sure his positive but realistic approach will find favour with many supporters.

“He does not promise the earth, but we feel he offers our best chance of a stable future for the club.

“There are still plenty of unanswered questions surrounding the club, its finances and the land on which the stadium lies. The trust would like to see an openness and clarity in this, while it shares the concern of fans at any attempt to separate the football club from the stadium site.

“For too many years, fans have feared Darlington FC becoming simply a pawn in a game of property speculation – a game where the rules are only known to a handful taking part.

“We need an honest appraisal of how to sustain the football club, but we feel, with the right and a realistic approach, a club of our size can survive and be an important part of the community.”

The trust has written to the administrators for answers to its questions and is awaiting a response.

Tony Taylor, trust chairman, has also confirmed £50,000 raised when the club was previously in administration has been ring-fenced. He said the money would be used for fans to be part of a consortium or to have a say in the future for the club.