Darlington go bust and then revived after fans raise £200,000
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Blue Square Bet Premier side Darlington have been given an 11th hour reprieve after fans raised £200,000 to keep the club alive.
Former caketaker boss Craig Liddle and his remaining 10 players were summoned to the Northern Echo Arena at midday on Wednesday to be told by the club’s administrator, Harvey Madden, that he had failed to agree a rescue plan and the club would fold after 128 years.
But a few minutes later, a group of fans and local businessman calling themselves the Darlington FC Rescue Group (DFCRG) arrived at the stadium with £50,000 and pleaded with the administrator for more time.
And after an overseas supporter pledged another £150,000, Madden agreed a short term deal that will allow the matches against Fleetwood, York City and Hayes and Yeading to go ahead.
DFCRG hope the move will buy them enough time to convince former chairman Raj Singh to back a planning development deal that could save the club.
Read the Daily Mail’s take on today’s extraordinary turn of events
