New deadline to buy football club

The Quakers have struggled to attract fans to their 25,000 capacity stadium

Administrators have extended the deadline for potential buyers to submit a bid for troubled Darlington FC.

Brackenbury Clark and Co said a number of interested parties had come forward, but no offer had been accepted by the cut-off point on Monday.

The extra time was needed while discussions continue to secure a formal deal, a spokesman for the firm added.

The new deadline to buy the Quakers, who went into administration in February, is now 1700 BST on 5 May.

In a statement, the club said: "This decision has been made because the administrator is continuing to hold discussions with interested parties which have not come to any definitive conclusion although there are a number of parties who are willing to pursue their interest further.

The club will continue as it has done and fulfil the remainder of its fixtures regardless of any offers

Club spokesman

"As such, the additional time has been provided to allow these discussions to continue in the expectation of firstly giving these discussions to the opportunity to translate into formal offers for the club and secondly to give time for any other potential bidders to come forward.

"It is not a deadline at which point the club will be closed should no offer have been accepted by then.

"As such, the club will continue as it has done and fulfil the remainder of its fixtures regardless of any offers."

Brackenbury Clark and Co said the deadline could technically be extended for 18 months from the date of appointment, but that such a long administration would be detrimental for the club.

Darlington chairman George Houghton has blamed the club's difficulties on a "combination of circumstances compounded by the current economic recession".