NATIONAL Football Supporters Federation chairman Malcolm Clarke believes York City majority shareholder Jason McGill’s quest for a “vote of confidence” at Thursday’s Supporters Trust special general meeting “feels like blackmail.”

Clarke, who is also a City Supporters Trust life member, has signalled his intention to vote against the Golden Share Proposal, which would see the fans’ body hand over their 25 per cent stake in the club to increase McGill’s JM Packaging company’s 75 per cent shareholding to 100 per cent.

In a previous statement, McGill has indicated that a ‘No’ vote would result in him ceasing to cover operating losses at Bootham Crescent and perhaps even lead to him seeking a buyer for the club, with any party interested needing to meet the cost of his shares and the £4million-plus he has loaned to the Minstermen on an interest-free basis.

Trust members will be balloted at the Millthorpe School-hosted SGM on Thursday night, but Clarke has refuted McGill’s perception of the message that the vote’s result will convey.

In an extract from an 1,800-word statement, that can be read in full on the “There’s Only One Arthur Bottom Newsletter,” Clarke declared: “His (Jason McGill’s) statement that it is a vote of confidence in himself is wrong.

“It is not. That would be an entirely different motion.

“It is a vote about whether the Trust should gift its shares to the club's parent company. It would be quite consistent for someone to vote ‘No’ but still be happy for Jason to continue in his present role.

“On the other side, some of those voting ‘Yes’ will be doing so not because they have great confidence in Jason but because they are scared about what might happen if he doesn't get his way. Paradoxically, the way he has set out to achieve his "vote of confidence," as he sees it, is the very thing which has reduced my confidence in him.

“It feels like blackmail. As a life member of the Trust, my personal intention is to vote ‘No’, unless further relevant information appears before the vote, because I do not think that any good reason has been put forward on why the transfer would be in the interests of the Trust or the football club.”

Trust members, meanwhile, have been warned to arrive early ahead of the SGM, with entry available one hour before the scheduled 7.30pm start.

With 910 people eligible to vote, the Trust are anticipating high numbers at the venue and, with street and on-site parking limited, members are being advised to car-share or use public transport where possible.

There is also a maximum capacity set at the venue as a health and safety requirement, with admission on a first-come basis.