York City chairman offers to sell club to Supporters’ Trust after angering fans
Controversial York City chairman Glen Henderson has offered to sell his stake in the club, less than six months after taking over.
Mr Henderson has 51% of the shares, and fans’ body the York City Supporters’ Trust owns 49%.
Now the chairman has written to the trust saying he is willing to trigger a buy-back clause contained in their shareholders’ agreement.
“The Trust board agree with Glen that this would be in the best interests of the football club,” they said in a statement.
Mr Henderson has indicated he would sell the shares at the price he bought them.
When he succeeded Jason McGill as chairman in July, he said he and the trust shared a vision to see the club thrive on and off the pitch.
But he angered the fans when he summarily sacked popular manager John Askey, who had delivered promotion last season against all the odds.
The trust said its board held an urgent meeting yesterday evening (12 December) to explore the various options available to take the club forward. These include:
- Crowdfunding to achieve 100% supporter ownership
- Forming a consortium of multiple investors
- Attracting a new investor partner
- Declining Glen Henderson’s offer of shares.
They are “keen to hear from any individual or consortium that may be interested in acquiring a majority shareholding in the football club”.
Email [email protected] before 6 January 2023 for further information.
The statement ends: “The trust board are extremely disappointed that despite best efforts, things haven’t worked out with Glen as hoped.
“We are determined to learn from our mistakes and find a way forward that all supporters can get behind.
“Whilst the football club has faced many recent challenges, significant positive changes have been introduced and we are confident that given time the club will flourish. Now more than ever, we need supporters to come together as a united force.”