The new Reynolds Arena has a capacity of 27,500

The struggling Third Division side was placed into administration on 23 December to protect the club from an Inland Revenue winding up petition.

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

On Boxing Day the team went down 1-0 to visiting Huddersfield Town - which has also seen administrators take charge.

Both sets of supporters donated cash to a trust set up to try to save the club.

It is thought Darlington has debts of between �100,000 and �250,000.

Mr Reynolds blamed the financial crisis on the demise of ITV Digital and tough local authority imposed planning rules, which mean a new �25m stadium cannot be used for alternative functions like concerts and car boot sales.

Administrators are due to meet representatives from Darlington Borough Council on 30 December to discuss the club's situation.

We've been expecting this for some while now - I wouldn't say it's come as any sort of surprise to the fans Anthony Taylor, Darlington Supporters' Trust

More than 6,000 people turned up to support the Quakers on Boxing Day - one of the season's largest crowds.

The game was delayed for almost 30 minutes because of the volume of traffic trying to get to the 27,500-capacity Reynolds Arena.

Peter Ashmore of the Darlington Supporters' Trust said: "We had a good response from the Darlington fans and from Huddersfield.

"Their supporters were very sympathetic because they have been through administration as well."

Fellow trust member Anthony Taylor added that fans had been bracing themselves for news of administration and had already opened negotiations with businesses in the area with a view to a possible takeover.

Mr Taylor said: "We've been expecting this for some while now. I wouldn't say it's come as any sort of surprise to the fans.

"We had asked Mr Reynolds for a meeting about the club's finances earlier in the year once the accounts had been lodged with Companies House.

'Black hole'

"But his response was that we'd just built a fantastic stadium and the Supporters' Trust was a hindrance rather than a help and he would be severing links with us.

"So at the moment it's a case of finding out what the debts are and they could be anywhere between �100,000 and �250,000."

Mr Reynolds defended his time and investment in the club.

He said: "I can't sustain this club on 12 working hours a month.

"I don't think I've done a bad job. I came in and saved the club from going bankrupt.

"But I couldn't keep putting money into a black hole.

"If the fans fill the seats and the council allow us to make money, we will be ok."

Darlington Borough Council said it had done everything possible to support the club over the past few years.

A spokesman said: "This is a very sad situation and we hope they can get out of the situation they are in."