The chairman of York City FC has today (Sunday) issued a statement in response to the growing crisis engulfing the club.
Glen Henderson was responding to a statement issued by the York City Supporters’ Trust on Friday saying they had stepped in to meet a shortfall in the wages paid to staff and players.
According to the trust, it had contributed £50,000 so everyone could be paid.
In Friday’s statement, the trust also said no investor was now in place to buy Mr Henderson’s 51% shareholding in the club. The deadline is Tuesday (4 April).
Then two members of the trust, Alastair Smith and Jim Calverley, expanded on the situation on BBC Radio York, where they answered fans’ question in a phone-in.
During that show, hosted by David Ward, they said that part of the club’s financial problems were due to the sacking of two managers this season, John Askey and David Webb, which cost £200,000 in payouts.
They also didn’t rule out the prospect of the club falling into administration, risking a ten-point deduction at the start of next season and possible enforced relegation back to regional football in National League North.
It led York City fan and Match Of The Day commentator Guy Mowbray to say that Mr Henderson “is not fit or proper to own or run a professional football club”.
Mr Henderson did not comment when approached on Friday by YorkMix, and did not take up the invitation to join the BBC Radio York programme.
Today he has issued a brief statement. In it, he does not address why the staff and players had not been paid in full by the club this month, but pledges future financial support.
This is Mr Henderson’s statement in full.
“After the public statement made by York City Supporters’ Trust in the media and on the radio on Friday, I would like to put the minds of all York City FC fans at rest.
“Please be assured that I fully intend to financially support the football club if the Supporters’ Trust are unable to secure a buyer by midnight on Tuesday 4th April 2023.
“Moving forward, my shares in the club will remain up for sale, hoping to secure the most suitable buyer for the football club.
“In the meantime, I hope everyone can get behind Mikey and the team throughout the run-in.”
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