York City Football Club have been offered a glimmer of hope by ground owners Bootham Crescent Holdings (BHC) - but with stringent conditions attached.

BCH's board of directors, along with Persimmon, have issued a statement inviting the football club to continue playing rent-free at Bootham Crescent for a limited period.

But only if they - or any new owners - sign a contract that would see Huntington Stadium upgraded to Football League standards within a set time-scale and for City then to move there.

If the club do not agree they face homelessness from June 30. The agreement for City to leave Bootham Crescent by that date was agreed by John Batchelor when he took over the club from BCH chairman Douglas Craig.

The statement in full reads:

"1) In December 2001 BCH's board of directors decided that they were unable to carry on supporting its loss-making subsidiary (YCFC) beyond June 30, 2002. They issued a document outlining the position and the conditions to be met by any prospective purchaser who intended to buy BCH or who only intended to acquire YCFC.

"2) Part of the conditions, if they were only to acquire YCFC, was to: Vacate the ground and premises at Bootham Crescent by June 30, 2002, and relocate to another stadium.

"So far as an alternative stadium was concerned BCH also indicated that they had had discussions with Cannon Leisure Management who leased Huntington Stadium and they would welcome YCFC as tenants. Indeed BCH also did an exercise to prove that such a move was feasible.

"3) As a result of intensive negotiations with John Batchelor and after receiving a 'seal of approval' from the Supporters' Trust and being lauded by the local press, YCFC entered into a tripartite agreement with BCH and Persimmons.

"Part of the legally binding agreement was for YCFC to be allowed to remain at Bootham Crescent at no rent from April 11, 2002, until June 30, 2003, a year later than originally stipulated.

"John Batchelor at this time was given ownership of YCFC, including the freehold property at 33 Grosvenor Terrace with no money passing. Furthermore there was an arrangement which effectively meant that John Batchelor immediately received significant financial support.

"One of the conditions, however, was that YCFC would make a planning application for a new stadium or by implication make arrangements to relocate to another stadium immediately after June 30, 2003, and the new owner of the club was perfectly happy to go ahead on that basis.

"4) Despite all the derogatory comments made by, and in, the media and elsewhere, BCH and Persimmons are still willing to try to help save YCFC.

"They are prepared to allow YCFC to remain at Bootham Crescent for a limited period subject to a binding legal agreement which inter alia specifically lays down a time limit for starting and completing the necessary works required at Huntington Stadium to make it capable of achieving Nationwide Football League ground criteria and YCFC irrevocably committing itself to going to Huntington Stadium."

A City of York Council spokeswoman said: "Until we have more information we can't really comment any further."

Sophie McGill, of York Supporters' Trust, said: "This offer in no way provides a solution to York City's current crisis.

"It seems Mr Craig is attaching strings to the offer and seeking legal guarantees, which suggests his main priority is to gain planning permission and subsequently turn Bootham Crescent into a building site."

Updated: 12:26 Thursday, December 19, 2002