YORK City’s board have stated that no formal offer was made to buy the club before this week’s April 30 deadline.

But The Press understands that a north-east group, closely linked to an ex-City player, did declare their interest in former chairman Jason McGill’s 75 per cent stakeholding within the advertised time frame and are still considering making a seven-figure offer for the club.

McGill invited parties to register their interest in his Malton-based company JM Packaging's majority stake in the Minstermen last month after Supporters Trust members had voted against selling their 25 per cent shareholding to him. 

With the deadline for declarations of interest having passed this week, a club board statement was issued, reading: "JM Packaging has confirmed that no formal offers to acquire their 75 per cent shareholding in York City have been received by the April 30 deadline.

"The football club board of directors has indicated that both shareholders have been approached to determine what additional funds are to be made available by each party in connection with constructing a workable budget for the 2018-19 season."

The Trust held a special general meeting at Millthorpe School in March when members were asked to vote on a golden share proposal, which would have made McGill the club’s 100 per cent owner, bar one share that protected certain rights for the fans’ body.

A total of 262 voted against the motion, with 123 in favour, equating to a 68 per cent/32 per cent majority for the 'No' camp.  

Prior to the Trust vote, McGill made it clear that he would no longer continue to fund operating losses at Bootham Crescent and that the club would need to run on a breakeven basis, if the proposal was rejected.

Following the result, he subsequently stepped down as chairman with chief executive Jackie McNamara also leaving the club, whilst a new board consisting of Steve Kilmartin, Dave Penney, Ian McAndrew and Richard Adams was formed.