By Martin Walker
Darlington manager Craig Liddle admits he may lose some of his players before the end of the season.
The Quakers interim boss says although the positive news about the share issue announced earlier this week is a positive move for the club, he says it doesn’t help him in the short-term.
Darlo will almost certainly remain in Administration until the end of the current campaign, meaning players still won’t get their full salaries.
And Liddle admits that will mean decision time for some players.
“I’ve never tried to hide away from the fact it’s going to be hard, but it’s probably going to get even harder now,” said Liddle.
“We’re in this situation now until the end of April, which is the end of the season for us.
“We’ll have to sit down with the lads, have a little bit of a heart-to-heart, put our cards on the table and see who’s going to be available for the rest of the season.
“They’ve got mortgages and bills to pay, so it’s going to be difficult, but I’ve got to do all I can to keep us in the league.
“I think we’d been hoping and praying there was going to be a quick solution, but now it’s going to be the end of the season.
“So it is going to be decision time for a lot of them. I’d like to think, because of the bond we’ve got and the togetherness, we’ll keep it together, but it isn’t going to be easy.
“I genuinely think we have the quality to stay up. The strength in dept isn’t there but the quality is and if we do those lads would deserve the freedom of Darlington if they do keep us up.”
Liddle has praised toe Darlington Rescue Group for their continued efforts and the share issue they’ve put together.
He added: “The people behind it have obviously put a lot of research into it, and I don’t think they’d have put it together if they thought it was a no-hoper.
“We’re not under any illusions that it isn’t going to be hard. It’ll be difficult to get that sort of money together.
“But they’re confident they can do it and I’ve just got to believe in their confidence that we can progress.”
Darlo fans can buy shares of the proposed community-based club at £100 per share.
For full details go to: www.buydarlo.org
Go to our Video Vault to see Liddle’s latest interview with BBC Tees in full
