FORMER York City chairman Douglas Craig believes he has contributed £2million towards the continued survival of the football club by accepting a reduced sale price for Bootham Crescent.

Craig will net £1.2million from the deal brokered with City managing director Jason McGill with fellow Bootham Crescent Holdings majority shareholders also pocketing £200,000 each.

The estimated current market value of the football ground, along with the Wigginton Road training pitches and the land off Bumper Castle, is £3.5million with planning permission, leading Craig to argue that the club will eventually net £2million in equity when they eventually sell the ground.

Craig said: "It's important to realise that in reaching the agreement with the football club BCH are effectively making a donation of £2million in asset acquisition which they will realise when they get planning permission."

The ownership of Bootham Crescent was transferred from the club to Bootham Crescent Holdings in 2000 with Craig arguing it would safeguard the Minstermen's future.

When asked whether he would donate any of the money he has banked from the deal back to the club, Craig replied: "This is a business agreement in which we've already, in affect, donated £2 million (to the club). If anyone would like to match that go and find them."

Craig also today praised his business relationship with Jason McGill in securing the agreement but accompanied his praise with a side swipe at the Supporters Trust.

He said: "The important thing to come out of this agreement is that it has been possible only because of the businesslike relationship which developed between Jason McGill and myself.

"The agreement has absolutely nothing to do with anything the Trust may or may not have done. In all my dealings with the Trust I have found them lacking in business negotiation acumen."

Updated: 14:30 Friday, June 11, 2004