Printed: Saturday, April 21, 2012

A COMMUNITY company bidding to buy Darlington Football Club has deleted conditions from its rescue plan requested by outgoing chairman Raj Singh.

Darlington FC 1883 Ltd (DFC 1883) needs Mr Singh to write off about £800,000 he is owed by the club, if its takeover bid is to be successful.

DFC 1883 previously agreed to conditions requested by Mr Singh in order to secure his backing.

It is understood the outgoing chairman wanted a share if the club benefited from any redevelopment of The Northern Echo Darlington Arena site.

The second condition related to clauses in the contract of former Quakers defender Dan Burn, who was sold to Fulham last summer, which could lead to money for Darlington FC.

However, DFC 1883 board member Craig McKenna revealed last night that the company voluntary arrangement (CVA) proposal sent out to creditors did not include the conditions.

He said that although DFC 1883 was willing to meet Mr Singh’s requests, it would have meant the Football Association not giving its crucial support to the CVA.

Mr Mckenna said: “We have asked Mr Singh to waive his £800,000 unconditionally.

“Following conversation with the FA we have been informed that the clauses which we were discussing with Mr Singh would not be acceptable to them.

“We are still hopeful that Mr Singh will sign the CVA as per his original indication.”

The CVA has been sent out to creditors ahead of a crucial meeting on May 5 when they will either accept or reject the proposal.

DFC 1883 also confirmed last night that discussions about a new lease for the Arena are still ongoing and have not yet been finalised.

The Northern Echo has been unable to contact Mr Singh.