FAN representatives are expected to announce later this week which of the two bidders for York City they intend to back, writes Dave Stanford.

Members of the York City Supporters' Trust met with York Wasps chief Russell Greenfield and John Stabler at the Huntington Stadium last night to hear about their plans for the Minstermen.

As reported in the Evening Press, the Trust met with the other front-runner, John Batchelor, last week when the motor-racing tycoon pledged to the Trust a minimum 20 per cent slice of the club if he gains control.

Greenfield today said they would be looking to utilise the "footballing expertise" of the Trust and its members to help run the club if they were successful in buying the club.

But he also indicated their offer to Douglas Craig to buy Bootham Crescent Holdings, owner of both the club and ground, did not meet the City chairman's £4.5million valuation.

Trust spokesperson Sophie McGill described last night's meeting as 'encouraging'. She added: "Both Russell Greenfield and John Stabler showed they do care about the future of the club and it was encouraging to see their support for professional sport in the city.

"Obviously, we met with John Batchelor last week and this week the Trust will be in talks amongst ourselves to make a decision about which direction we feel we need to go in order to secure the best deal for York City Football Club."

Greenfield, who reiterated a plan to build a new 15,000-seater, dual purpose stadium, said: "We answered all their questions as honestly as we could and told them we had put in a very substantial offer.

"It is perhaps not exactly what Douglas Craig wanted but it is still a substantial bid and is more than Bootham Crescent is worth."

Updated: 12:24 Tuesday, February 12, 2002