THE future of York City Knights seemed to be back in the balance after their apparent D-Day came and went without the planned takeover being completed.

Companies House, the Government's registrar of companies, said their records suggested no share transfer had gone through by close of business today.

Jon Flatman, the sports management consultant who is heading up the consortium looking to take over from outgoing owner John Guildford, remained unavailable for comment.

Likewise the Rugby Football League have as yet given no comment.

The sport's governing body had said three weeks ago that today was a target date for the deal to be completed, saying: "We can confirm the RFL are in discussions with Jon Flatman and are working towards a date of December 1."

They did not say then that it was a deadline, but it is unclear how long they would be prepared to wait to reinstate York into Kingstone Press League One, the Knights having been omitted from the 2017 fixture list, albeit with a 16th place left open should the takeover be successful.

Flatman said last month that agreement in principle had been reached to acquire all of Guildford's shares in the club.

The new owners would also then need confirmation from City of York Council that the team can play at York City's Bootham Crescent ground as part of its community stadium plan.

It is thought the December 1 target date was chosen as it fits in with the effective financial year in professional rugby league – in other words, when annual budgets begin and player contracts start.

However, any new Knights player contracts can only be rubber-stamped when the takeover is completed.

Confidence of it all going through has been such that a 20-strong train-on squad has been getting together in secret under head coach James Ford in readiness for the green light. The usual Thursday night training session was thought to be going ahead this evening as planned.