CLUB chairman John Guildford says York City Knights’ legal dispute with City of York Council is now over.

Part of the dispute concerned the Knights formally agreeing to move out of Huntington Stadium - even though they had already left - and the club’s objection to the redevelopment of the ground on the basis they did not have the necessary security of tenure elsewhere.

It led to the council withdrawing from negotiations with the rugby club over the community stadium scheme, in turn meaning the team could not train at York St John University’s sports facility.

The Knights had also not signed a new agreement regarding their switch to York City’s Bootham Crescent while redevelopment takes place.

Confidentiality clauses mean neither party can disclose what caused the disagreement, and The Press understands sections of the deal guaranteeing the Knights an interim home still need to be negotiated. But Guildford says ending the legal dispute means threats of court action can not cause further delays.

“It was a case of both parties trying to protect their own interests,” he explained.

“The council was trying to protect its interests and we were trying to protect ours, but we’ve come to agreement on the matter.

“We had already moved out of Huntington Stadium, after all, so if their objective is to deliver the stadium and provide facilities in the meantime as promised, there is no issue that I’m aware of.

“Therefore we’ve agreed to the consent order.

“There’s no mileage going through the courts as it just costs everybody money and potentially delays the project further - and we need to be getting on with it.”

A City of York Council spokesman said a statement on the matter would be issued on Monday.