Hopes for Dalglish to back Darlaston Town

And now Kenny Dalglish is backing a drive to keep Darlaston Town FC in the league.

The club was forced to pull out of the Midlands League last season after 140 years when it folded due to financial issues.

Campaigners are now trying to raise thousands to keep the club going for future years and help it secure a permanent base.

And Dalglish is expected to donate a signed shirt to be auctioned at an event featuring Wolves legends Don Goodman and Steve Daley on April 4 to support the campaign.

He was contacted by Walsall South MP Valerie Vaz, who said he has since shown an interest in the club's history and fight for survival.

Mrs Vaz has also written to FA chairman Greg Dyke asking him to support the campaign.

She wants to hold a meeting with him to see what support is available for the club.

But she says that getting the support of a legend like Dalglish could bring the campaign to a wider audience. She said: "We are hoping to get a signed shirt from him to auction off.

"He has been very good and has shown an interest in the club – after we mentioned it to him he had been online looking up the club's history.

"Hopefully we can get him behind us as it would be great for the club."

She is also trying to organise a 'parliamentary football match' involving MPs and Westminster officials, and hopes shadow health secretary Andy Burnham will be one of the first to sign up.

She added: "People could bet on the result and I think it would be a good way to raise money.

"I'm sure there will be a lot of people willing to take part."

The football club, founded in 1874, is believed to be the second oldest non-league team in the country. It was a founder member of the Midlands league in 1962 but resigned at the end of last season when the club folded.

A committee was set up in September to generate £5,000 to cover costs rent, registration fees and kits in a bid to save the club. That target has been reached and bosses are looking to raise another £5,000 to cover running costs throughout the season.

But its City Ground base needs new fences and walls, so talks are being held with Walsall Council to decide whether the club will stay there or move to a new location.

League officials will assess whether grounds are suitable between April and June, so they have about two months to finalise their plans.

Neil Chambers, a chairman of the club in the 1990s and club historian who is leading the campaign, said: "The support has been fantastic and there are a lot of great plans being made to raise even more money.

"Getting the support of someone like Kenny Dalglish would be a great boost."