THE Supporters' Trust today moved into pole position to take control of York City Football Club.

Administrator David Willis confirmed the fans' body's bid was now the only firm offer on the table to take over the Minstermen.

The Evening Press has learned the John Batchelor-led bid no longer exists so far as taking over the football club is concerned.

His backer, John Heynes, is still looking to buy Bootham Crescent from owners Bootham Crescent Holdings.

However, that deal could take weeks to complete and with Batchelor's rescue package dependent on funding being released from the sale of the stadium his proposal has been beaten by a lack of time.

The unnamed northern-based millionaire is believed to be still putting together a bid that would involve buying Bootham Crescent and keeping City at their current home until a new stadium is built.

However, that deal could also take weeks to conclude and in the absence of any more cash to keep the club going beyond this week the Trust's bid, which is not dependent on the sale of Bootham Crescent, has emerged as the front-runner.

Willis, of Jacksons Jolliffe Cork, said: "The Trust bid is the only one on the table at the moment. They are now working towards trying to pull the funding together.

"Quite a lot of their funding is by way of pledges and they are looking to convert as many pledges as they can to move their bid forward."

He added: "Mr Heynes is still looking to do a deal with Bootham Crescent Holdings.

"As it stands and in the absence of any other bids, it is in everybody's interests that that should go through.

"Mr Heynes would then be in a position to give York City the security of tenure the club needs."

Willis admitted the problem of funding the club while all the deals are negotiated remains a prime concern.

Unless a deal can be concluded or extra cash secured then Saturday's Division Three clash with Bury could be the Minstermen's last.

He warned: "The danger is having got the funding in place for another week people lose focus but that funding will run out very quickly so everyone has to keep pushing forward."

Steve Beck, of the Supporters' Trust, today urged the administrator to concentrate his energies on the fans' bid.

He said: "We now need the administrator to properly focus on making urgent progress towards completing the deal.

"There will need to be discussions with the football bodies and other parties, but before that takes place the Trust needs 'the nod' from the administrator."

Updated: 11:31 Tuesday, February 18, 2003