MOTORSPORT tycoon John Batchelor is in pole position in the race to buy York City with the Supporters' Trust today backing his bid.

The fans' organisation has opted to support Batchelor rather than rival bidders John Stabler and Russell Greenfield.

Batchelor said: "Obviously, we're delighted and I'm very grateful that they've decided to back our bid. We will move together now as a single unit.

"I think we are like-minded. We both want to see the club be very successful, and we want to have fun doing it."

Club chairman Douglas Craig said he was pleased that the Trust had made a decision and revealed he believes the deal to buy the club and ground could be concluded soon.

"I am glad that we have got over that hurdle," he said.

"I would see no reason why the matter should not be concluded if everyone does their share in a matter of a few weeks.

"Certainly, as far as the football club and Bootham Crescent Holdings is concerned, we will be as co-operative as we possibly can be."

Craig indicated the council will provide the next hurdle to concluding the deal.

It is understood Batchelor will be having talks with council chiefs to gauge their support for planning permission for a new stadium.

The results of those talks will have a major baring on how quickly any deal can be finalised said Craig.

Graham Ibbetson, chairman of the Trust, explained the group's decision.

He said: "The major factors which differentiate John from other proposals include the potential for a new positive culture, exciting commercial plans, community, local business and supporter involvement plus a framework for a fair equity stake for the Supporters' Trust."

Under the partnership proposals, should Batchelor's bid now prove successful the Trust will have two board directors and a 25 per cent stake in the holding company that owns both the club and Bootham Crescent.

However, Ibbetson stressed the Trust's decision to work with Batchelor does not rule out other options between now and March 31 - the deadline for the sale of the club imposed by Craig.

"The Trust will continue to keep options available in the event of any breakdown in discussions to maintain a firm contingency approach for the immediate future of York City Football Club," he said.

"We would like to thank all parties who have contributed with alternative proposals and would like to accommodate their ideas and aspirations in the future."

Batchelor believes the backing of the Supporters' Trust could be influential when Craig decides who to sell to, the City chairman having previously stated that he would take their thoughts into consideration.

"I am sure it will have an input into Douglas Craig's decision of a substantial nature," said Batchelor.

However, even with the Supporters' Trust now behind him, Batchelor did not think his taking over the club was all cut and dried.

"It is very difficult to say that anything is ever in the bag until it actually happens, but we see it (the Supporters' Trust's backing) as key to our bid."

York Wasps RL Club's vice-chairman Greenfield today refused to be despondent by the news insisting his only concern was safeguarding the future of the football club.

"All we are interested in is the future of York City," said Greenfield, who offered his backing to Batchelor and the Trust.

"If John Batchelor has a bid in that is better for York City than ours then I am glad the Trust has gone with it.

"York City is what matters and we didn't go into this as a business deal but purely to help York City."

Greenfield insisted their deal would remain on the table in case Batchelor's bid should collapse.

"We will be staying in the wings," he told the Evening Press.

Updated: 12:08 Tuesday, February 19, 2002