York City president and Ryedale MP John Greenway admitted to being gob-smacked after reading in the Evening Press the details of the deal that installed John Batchelor as club chairman.

Greenway said: "In effect, Douglas Craig still controls the football club and the future of York City is in his hands and those of the former directors, in my opinion.

"What we have to do is persuade them to see sense to find a solution that makes sure we will still have a York City Football Club in the future."

Greenway believes the best solution would be for a buyer to come forward who would be willing to purchase not just the club but also the ground from Bootham Crescent Holdings at a "reasonable" price.

He added: "For some time, my gut instinct has been that deal done with John Batchelor was unsustainable.

"He has got bags of enthusiasm but he has now to deliver on his promises that he made."

Greenway, Conservative shadow sports minister, has now called on the administrators at the club to contact him, and make use of his influence in Whitehall to buy the club some breathing space.

Greenway said he was aware of other MPs who had asked ministers at the Treasury to give clubs in their constituencies suffering similar cash problems to City breathing space in terms of paying the Inland Revenue.

"I have got the contacts, with ministers and with the Football League, but people at the club have to ask me and tell me what they need doing.

"I cannot magic a solution unless I am told what is going on and what needs to be done."

Greenway said he had already highlighted City's plight to Sir Brian Mawhinney, who just last week was appointed the Football League's new independent, non-executive chairman. Mawhinney is a former Conservative Party chairman.

In recent reports we stated that Bootham Crescent Holdings chairman Douglas Craig was given the power of veto of any new director of York City Football Club as part of the lease agreement included in the sale of the club to John Batchelor.

Mr Craig has asked us to point out that the legal agreement states that it is Bootham Crescent Holdings (BCH), as lessor, which must give written consent before any such appointment and not him personally. He also stressed that BCH is run democratically.

We are happy to put the record straight.

Updated: 11:38 Tuesday, December 31, 2002