‘Final arrangements’ now underway for York City takeover – but no vote for supporters
The ‘final arrangements’ are now being made for the takeover of York City FC.
That’s according to the York City Supporters’ Trust, which issued an update today (Friday).
Only one bidder remains in the frame, so there will be no vote on the deal by fans in the trust, which has left the board “bitterly disappointed”.
Short-lived chairman Glen Henderson agreed to sell his 51% share of the club after losing the fans’ support when he sacked John Askey, the manager who oversaw the team’s promotion to the National League last season.
Since then, Henderson has hired and sacked another manager, David Webb. And City now sit perilously close to the relegation zone having lost three of their last five league matches.
The Supporters’ Trust, which owns 49% of the shares, has overseen the bidding process for the takeover of the majority shareholding.
Earlier this month, the trust said there were three potential bidders, of which two were being invited for interviews. Then the plan was to put the different bids to a vote of trust members at a special general meeting.
In today’s update, the supporters’ trust said: “However, it is clear that only one of the bids provides a viable option to take York City Football Club forward.
With only one bid remaining, the Trust Board have taken the tough decision to forego holding an SGM as the final stage of the process.
“Giving supporters an opportunity to vote on the future of the club was at the heart of the process outlined on 18 January, and the trust board is bitterly disappointed to remove this step.
“However, we have to do what is in the best interests of the football club and concluded that presenting a single bid in a confirmatory vote of members would only lead to unnecessary delay.
“We are sure that all supporters would agree that the football club urgently needs certainty and stability at this critical time in the season.”
They asked fans to refrain from circulating rumours about the takeover of social media.
The board added: “The trust have been holding positive discussions with the remaining bidder and are now finalising various arrangements for the takeover.
“Due to the complexity and confidential nature of those discussions and processes, we are unable to provide a running commentary on those talks.
“However, we are confident that matters will be concluded well in advance of the April deadline, and we will issue a further update as soon as we can.”
City, now three places above the drop zone in 18th, play Dorking Wanderers, who are two points behind them, in a six-pointer at the LNER Community Stadium tomorrow (Saturday).