The new Reynolds Arena opened last year

Businessman Mark Meynell, along with the Supporters Trust and three other people, are working on a finance plan and are seriously investigating whether it is practical to make a bid.

The third division club called in administrators last month to protect it from a winding-up order.

Millionaire chairman George Reynolds, who said he regretted the decision, but could no longer keep pouring cash into a "black hole", said he was open to offers.

Mr Meynell told BBC Radio Cleveland the supporters will back any successful bid to help make the club a success.

If someone else comes in with a lot more money than us, we are Darlo fans, we will say 'great' and ask what we can do to help Mark Meynell

He said: "Our concern was that if the administrators didn't have any bid on the table, they may have been forced to close the club down.

"We want to ensure there is a realistic bid on the table if we are able to do so.

"If we are fortunate to acquire the business on the strength of that bid then we will make a good job of it as far as we possible can.

"If someone else comes in with a lot more money than us, we are Darlo fans, we will say 'great' and ask what we can do to help."

Good performances

Mr Meynell said his business plan for the club was dependent on team from surviving the drop out of the Nationwide Football League Division Three.

He admitted it would be "very, very serious" if the club were to drop into the conference table.

Mr Meynell said: "We are working on the basis that the club will survive in the third division.

"We believe the manager and the players are good enough to do that, performances have been much better lately, even though the results have not come.

"At this stage we would have to work on the basis of Darlington being a league club."