Former Darlington chairman George Houghton has pledged £150,000 to the club to secure its immediate future.

The Quakers went into administration in February, but it has since emerged that they faced not being able to operate beyond this weekend.

Following an appeal by the League Two club's administrators Brackenbury Clark, Houghton has stumped up the cash to keep them going.

Houghton said he was hopeful a buyer could be found for the club.

"I have put millions of pounds into Darlington Football Club and a month ago I made the very difficult decision to put the club into administration," he said.

"At the time I invested what the administrators believed was enough money to run the club until the end of the season while they negotiated with potential purchasers.

Keeping the club going until the end of the season will give the administrators a greater chance of finding new owners George Houghton

"However, since the club went into administration - although I am aware that costs have been cut to the bone - attendances and subsequently revenue have fallen even further and the situation has become untenable.

"Professional football has been played in Darlington for 125 years and it would be heartbreaking for the loyal fans who have stuck by the club through thick and thin if this came to an end.

"Keeping the club going until the end of the season will give the administrators a greater chance of finding new owners.

"I remain optimistic that a solution will be found and, if any serious investors come forward, I stand ready to continue my involvement and some investment as part of a consortium in order to keep professional football alive in Darlington."

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