York City's company secretary has resigned over the "unjust" way the board has handled the current crisis at Bootham Crescent, the Evening Press can reveal.

In two further developments, a shareholder in the club's holding company, Bootham Crescent Holdings (BCH) plc, has demanded an extraordinary meeting to discuss the club's proposed sale, and Flamingo Land boss Gordon Gibb has formally expressed interest in buying the club.

Michael Rawnsley, who was an unpaid secretary of both BCH and York City Football Club plc, said the board had made it "almost impossible" for fans to come up with £4.5 million to buy the ground in such a short space of time.

Mr Rawnsley, whose son Paul is a member of the new supporters' committee, informed chairman Douglas Craig of his decision following last Wednesday's bombshell document, which gave any new owners notice to quit by the end of June - unless the cash can be raised.

The retired magistrates court clerk, from Copmanthorpe, York - a City follower for 30 years - has held the voluntary post since April.

He told the Evening Press: "I recognise there's a need for something to be done fairly drastically, and that the drift could not continue.

"But I'm very, very concerned at the actions of the board, particularly Wednesday's terms and conditions document which, in my view, makes it almost impossible to fulfil what is required in such a short space of time.

"I want nothing to do with what I see as an unfair and unjust situation, where some of the value attributed to BCH appears to have been achieved by way of grants and or efforts of the supporters."

Mr Rawnsley added: "My concern is for members of staff at the club who have been loyal and long serving and forgotten in all this.

"I had enjoyed my spell as secretary. Like everyone in York, I'm hoping someone comes along with a magic wand."

Meanwhile, Simon Hyde, a shareholder in BCH, wrote to Mr Craig yesterday asking for the extraordinary meeting.

Mr Hyde, of Headley Close, Clifton, said: "As a current shareholder of Bootham Crescent Holdings plc, I would like to be told why no one at the company has bothered to keep me informed of developments regarding the sale of BCH and York City Football Club.

"Surely as a shareholder of BCH I am entitled to be made aware of any decision to sell or dispose of either BCH or the football club.

"I, and many of the shareholders I have spoken to, all feel an extraordinary meeting should be called without further delay.

"With this in mind I, and a number of other shareholders would like to formally ask the directors and the company secretary of BCH to call an extraordinary general meeting within the eight weeks allowed.

"After all, time is very limited and we all have the football club's best interests at heart. Don't we?

"I will look forward to your prompt response."

Mr Craig said he had not received a letter from shareholders. He would not comment about Mr Rawnsley's resignation.

Mr Gibb said his letter of interest should arrive at the club today.

"We are just waiting now for confirmation that they received the document, then we are waiting for them to send us all the information, and from that we will establish whether we feel it is appropriate to move ahead," he added.

Shareholders of BCH were told of the proposed sale at their annual meeting on Thursday, December 20.

A number of small shareholders account for six per cent of the shares.

Mr Craig has 123,366 shares and the other three directors - John Quickfall, Colin Webb and Barry Swallow, a former club captain - have 21,588 shares each.

Updated: 11:36 Tuesday, January 15, 2002