A CRUCIAL meeting today to secure the future of Darlington Football Club has been postponed after league officials requested more information.
Administrators acting on behalf of the Quakers yesterday announced on the club’s website that the creditors’ meeting had been put back to June 25.
The Northern Echo has learnt that the delay came after the Football League stepped in to request clarification on the matter.
Any decision on the outcome of a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), which will allow the club to exit administration, must be ratified by the Football League.
A league spokesman said that whatever the decision is, a full board meeting of the Football League must approve the CVA for the club to continue to play in the league.
Last season, three of Darlington’s League Two rivals started the season with deductions of 17 and 20 points because their CVA was not approved. However, Luton Town, Rotherham United and Bournemouth were penalised because none could reach an agreement with their creditors.
Darlington’s CVA needs the backing of creditors owed at least 75 per cent of the debt to be approved.
Dave Clark, on behalf of administrator Brackenbury Clark and Co, expected the CVA to be passed because most of the debt is owed to former chairman George Houghton, Darlington FC Investments, Darlington FC Holdings and mortgage-holders Philip Scott and Graham Sizer.
They and other unsecured creditors have been offered 0.9p in the pound. Football creditors, including clubs and players, will receive all their debt.
Mr Clark could not divulge the full reasons for The Football League’s request, but described it as “no big thing”.
If the CVA is approved, a 28-day appeal process will follow before the club can come out of administration.
It would return the club to Mr Houghton as preferred creditor.
He is expected to sell the club to former vice-chairman Raj Singh.
The postponement could also delay new players and staff signing contracts they have been offered.
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