Moves to create a new supporters' trust for York City Knights as fans aim to get a voice on club's new board

The current fans’ body is the Knights Independent Supporters’ Society (KISS), whose main objective is to raise money for the club’s Squad Builder Fund.

However, the recent uncertainty over the club’s future, including the community stadium saga which has left them presently homeless, has seen KISS chairman Gary Hall, pictured , make inquiries about the feasibility of setting up a new body with a greatly enhanced remit - even if it stops short of taking full control of the club.

He has already had initial discussions with Supporters Direct, the organisation that was set up to “help fans form democratic co-operatives - known as supporters’ trusts - to gain influence in the running and ownership of their clubs”.

Said Hall: “We’ve been in contact with Supporters Direct and spoken to other supporters’ trusts currently in operation.

“I’ve also been contact with the chairman of the York City Supporters’ Trust.”

The City Supporters’ Trust now has a back-seat role at Bootham Crescent but was instrumental in saving the Minstermen after the costly ending to Douglas Craig’s chairmanship was followed by the disastrous tenure of the late John Batchelor.

Meanwhile, historic rugby league clubs Hunslet and Rochdale, who play at the same level as the Knights, are two outfits that are now fully supporter-owned and run.

This move by KISS members comes just as The Press revealed that four new directors have joined the Knights board to “work alongside” chairman John Guildford, a development which could potentially clear the way for the club to get back into the community stadium scheme.

City of York Council, which is driving the project, has stated it will not work with Guildford, blaming him for a breakdown in relations, but the club say the new directors would have full legal control of stadium dealings.

Hall did not suggest a Knights Supporters’ Trust would want to take over the club, saying: “It’s very tentative at this stage but we’re looking at going ahead with it, with the end goal being to get a voice on the new board.”

Meanwhile, the council says it is awaiting full details of the new board arrangement at the Knights.

The council statement read: “The council welcomes the news that efforts are being made to progress the matter, with the involvement of the Rugby Football League.

“We await the full details so we are able to assess the robustness of any proposed governance structure, as the council’s position with regard to Mr Guildford has not changed.

“It is essential that this includes the necessary assurances regarding control, probity and that such mechanism will not just cover the negotiations regarding contractual matters relating to the stadium, but throughout the life of the project and club’s occupation of this community facility.”

A spokesman was unable to say what these “necessary assurances” needed to be, and, while she confirmed the council would not deal directly with Guildford, she could not clarify if it would deal with the Knights if he remained as chairman, regardless of his non-involvement in stadium matters.

She added: “Once we have this (full) information we will take legal advice on the matter and discuss it further with the RFL.”

The Knights’ season kicks off on March 1.