Three potential buyers submit bids to take over York City
Three bids have been submitted by potential new owners of York City.
The bidders all want to buy the 51% of shares now owned by club chairman Glen Henderson, who has agreed to sell if a new buyer can be found.
They have submitted their proposals to York City Supporters Trust, which owns 49% of the shares.
The trust issued a statement this afternoon, saying: “Following an initial screening process two of the three potential investors have been invited to an interview with the scrutiny committee to consider their bids further.
“In advance of these interviews, they have also been asked to provide a summary of their proposals against each of the eight criteria listed.”
These are the eight criteria:
- Proposed new ownership and leadership structure for York City FC
- Motivation and ambition
- Financing
- Football operations
- Other operations
- Fan engagement
- Community
- Role of York City Supporters Trust
The interviews should be completed by Monday (6 March). Then the scrutiny committee will make recommendations to the supporters’ trust board, who “will expedite the takeover process”.
The scrutiny committee
The scrutiny committee is headed by York City Supporters Trust Board members Seth Sowerby and Jim Calverley.
The committee members have a “significant set of skills and experience that will enhance the process” the trust say. They are:
Seth Sowerby
Supporters’ trust board member since October 2022, and York City fan since 1982. Seth is a senior software engineer with a major US technology company.
Jim Calverley
Supporters trust board member since November 2021, elected in August 2022. Jim has attended and supported York City with family & friends since a young age. Jim is a resource planner at an insurance company.
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Paul Rawnsley
Lifelong York City fan and trust board member from 2002 to 2007. Paul is a senior director of Deloitte’s Sports Business Group working globally across a range of sports and with particular experience of football finance, club transactions and financial regulations in sport.
Adam Vause
York City fan since 1981. Adam is a partner at an international law firm. He has over 20 years’ experience as a solicitor.
Nick Hales
Nick has been attending York City matches, home and away, for almost 40 years. After qualifying as a chartered accountant in 2001, he has spent the last 21 years with BP in finance and strategy roles.