SUPPORTERS Trust chairman John Lacy is urging all members to attend next month’s AGM with a debate regarding the body’s 25 per cent stake in York City on the agenda.

Lacy has revealed that the Trust are “under considerable pressure” to relinquish all or part of their shares to 75 per cent majority shareholder Jason McGill, who has covered the considerable losses incurred by the club during the interminable wait for a new community stadium to be built, which has coincided with poor fortunes on the pitch, following back-to-back relegations.

Work has subsequently finally begun at Monks Cross and Trust members will now be canvassed on their opinions over the share issue at Burton Stone Lane WMC, opposite Bootham Crescent’s main entrance, on Monday, February 5, with the meeting starting at 7.30pm.

The Trust chief added, though, that he is still seeking clarification on McGill’s future financial plans for the club.

After asking all members to make a “special effort” to attend the meeting, Lacy said: “There will be an opportunity for all members present to debate crucial questions arising from negotiations, which seriously affect the Trust’s current 25 per cent shareholding stake in the club.

“It is vital that members make their views known on this important issue. The Trust’s shareholding comes with additional comprehensive rights and protections relating to the new stadium development and the future finance and governance of the club.

“During the past year, the Trust board has come under considerable pressure from the football club’s majority shareholder - JM Packaging Ltd (McGill’s Malton-based business) - to surrender all or part of its 25 per cent stake in York City. Complex and time-consuming negotiations have been conducted with Jason McGill throughout the year.

“The Trust regrets that our majority shareholding partner has sometimes been less than forthcoming in providing information about his intentions with regard to his future financial plans for York City. During these continuing difficult negotiations, the Trust will continue to fulfil its duty of care towards its members and all supporters of York City by seeking answers to legitimate and pressing questions about the implications of any proposed alteration in the share ownership of York City.”

Having not yet served a full term, following their appointments in June, Lacy’s fellow Trust board members Martyn Jones, Sarah Stelling, Bill Owen and Stephen Lambert will be re-elected for another 12 months at the AGM.

Richard Hall, meanwhile, was co-opted to the board in October and will be nominated for election.

Lacy went on to declare that the Trust has corrected “administrative deficiencies” that have plagued the supporters’ body in recent times.

“The history of the Trust over the last three or four years has been one of serious decline,” Lacy confessed.

“At the beginning of the financial year 2016/17, we were struggling both as a board and as a Supporters’ Society. We had failed to keep in touch with our members, failed to call meetings, keep proper accounts or make legally required returns to the Financial Conduct Authority.

“The board has worked very hard during the year to successfully rectify these administrative deficiencies.”

Lacy also reiterated the need to improve fundraising efforts to assist with the Minstermen’s running costs, although little progress seems to have been made on that front during recent times, with events cancelled and other planned initiatives still waiting to take place.

“All supporters recognise that recent setbacks on the field and the seemingly endless postponement of our move into a new stadium have placed intolerable pressures on the finances of York City,” Lacy pointed out. “The Trust recognises with gratitude the considerable personal investment in the club by Jason McGill and JM Packaging, which has continued to pay the bills well beyond the point at which Mr McGill expected York City to have financial security in the Community Stadium.

“The Trust proudly retains its 25 per cent shareholding in York City and, as a major stakeholder, takes very seriously its financial responsibility to contribute significantly to the budget.

“Fundraising plans under consideration this year included a members’ contributory scheme, possible “prize draw” schemes and seeking donations and sponsorship from local companies and businesses. Marketing the Trust will be an important element of our future strategy.”

Elsewhere, the club will hold open trials next month for Year 11 school leavers looking to become professional footballers.

They will take place at the York Sports Village on Tuesday February 13 and Thursday February 15 between 1pm-3pm and anyone interested in attending must register first via www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JFJ2G7L .

Successful trialists will be offered scholarships, starting in September 2018, on either the York City Football Club Sport with Football Technical Diploma Level 3 (full-time two-year course) or York City Football Club Sport Coaching and Leadership Level 2 (full-time, one-year course), depending on previous academic qualifications.

Both courses will allow scholars to study and learn while playing under-18 football in National League and Cup competition, with training provided by UEFA Pro and UEFA A licensed coaches.

There will be an opportunity to secure a professional contract during the scholarship and bursaries are available on acceptance of a place.

Trials are only available to boys born between September 1, 2001 and August 31, 2002, with the deadline for registration 6pm on Monday, February 5.