YORK City Knights chairman John Guildford has confirmed takeover talks are at an advanced stage with prospective new owners.

The Press revealed yesterday that head coach James Ford had spoken to an unnamed consortium looking to take on the Kingstone Press League One outfit and had been "impressed" by their plans.

Guildford indicated that being allowed to play at York City's Bootham Crescent as part of City of York Council's community stadium plan would see the deal completed and was optimistic the new party would get the green light from the local authority.

The future of the club otherwise remains uncertain - with a real danger it could close down.

"I'm hopeful that the York City Knights can move on and start concentrating on rugby," said Guildford, who reiterated he is leaving the club entirely.

"The deal is subject to the council saying they can play at Bootham Crescent.

"The prospective new owners and the council are in positive talks and I feel it will be resolved very quickly."

Meanwhile, Guildford, previously sidelined from community stadium talks, is to hold a question-and-answer forum at South Bank Working Men's Club on Sunday outlining his and the Knights' current position. It starts at 3pm.

Ford is also set to attend to outline his plans for playing matters.

As revealed yesterday, The Press understands that, due to the ongoing uncertainty, the team will not be included in the fixture list for League One when it is announced on Sunday night.

However, Rugby Football League chiefs are believed to be holding a spot open and, should takeover talks come to a successful conclusion, the Minster city outfit would almost certainly be included in an updated schedule.