THE two bidders for York City Football Club today revealed their Minstermen manifestos via the Evening Press.

In an exclusive head-to-head showdown, motor racing tycoon John Batchelor and York Wasps chiefs Russell Greenfield and John Stabler both outline their City blueprints.

Both reiterate the need for City to quit their home for the last eight decades, Bootham Crescent, and relocate to a new purpose built stadium.

Batchelor calls for a change in atmosphere and mentality at City, believing the club has for too long settled for lower-league obscurity.

He maintains City has the potential to reach the top and has called on some of York's major companies to lend their support.

He also pledges to give the supporters a voice in the boardroom and crucially vows to implement a safeguard that will prevent the club's future being determined by just a handful of directors.

"I want a mechanism in place that ensures that they (supporters) will never be in this position again," he said.

"Most of all, what I really want is to create something that is fun, that everyone can get behind and enjoy, that adds to the city," he said.

Greenfield said the new stadium would be a 15,000 all-seater, all-purpose ground and the club was aiming for First Division football within five years.

He claims a blue chip company has already given an assurance of £100,000 in sponsorship and also, like Batchelor, said the Supporters' Trust would have a vital role to in the running of the club.

Greenfield, who pledged all profits would be ploughed back into the club and not into directors' pockets, said:

"Should any other bid be successful and be deemed better for York City Football Club than our own, then it will receive our full support and encouragement."

Updated: 12:06 Thursday, February 07, 2002