CHESTER City owner Stephen Vaughan said last night that he wouldn’t feel any pleasure if troubled Darlington were forced into liquidation.

However, if City were offered the opportunity to take the Quakers’ place in the Football League next season, they would take it.

Chester are preparing for non-league football after finishing in 23rd place in League Two. However, Darlington’s acute financial woes could offer the Deva Stadium outfit an unexpected lifeline.

He said: “Naturally I would like Darlington to stay in business. It would be a massive blow to the club and their supporters if they were liquidated and I would certainly not gain any pleasure from that. However, if we were offered their place because of those unfortunate circumstances we would naturally take it.

“It has been well documented that we have certain issues that we have to address, but whatever decisions we take in the next couple of weeks, they will be taken for the best interests of Chester City.”

Darlington, who entered administration in February, have to give assurances about their future to the Football League by June 12.

However, the omens don’t look good.

Administrator Dave Clark said over the weekend: “Unfortunately, to date there have been no offers for the club that we are able to accept.

“We will continue the search but the situation remains precarious. The news is pretty dire.

“If we have no purchaser, we have no exit plan. The future of the club is absolutely in doubt.”

Meanwhile, Chester midfielder Anthony Barry could be in line for a return to his previous club Yeovil Town. Barry, who joined City from the Somerset outfit last summer, is still under contract at the Deva Stadium, but it is understood that the League One club have enquired about his availability.