YORK City managing director Steve Kilmartin has insisted that the arrival of John Askey to the club had no impact on the timing of Steve Watson's sacking.

Askey was brought in as part of the York management set-up before the game at Leamington last week, following on from the suspension of assistant manager Micky Cummins amid historical betting rule breach charges.

Having only been at City for a matter of days, Askey has since been promoted to interim manager after Watson was relieved of his duties in the aftermath of the goalless draw at Curzon Ashton.

Asked whether Askey's addition to the coaching staff had an impact on the timing of the Watson decision, Kilmartin replied: “None whatsoever, no.

"From my perspective, John was coming in effectively as an assistant to Steve and that’s how we proceeded.

“It was only on Saturday, following the discussion (between Watson and chairman Jason McGill) that Steve decided effectively that a change was appropriate.”

Speaking further on the conversation between Watson and McGill, Kilmartin added: "There are numerous factors that I’m sure the chairman and Steve went through in some detail before reaching their decision.

"Six wins, six losses, the style of play, the loss against Buxton.

"They decided that ultimately he had gone as far as he could with this club and that a change was necessary.

“I was with John the previous Tuesday at the game and it was such a revelation talking to him.

"He has that quiet confidence in his own abilities and I’ve no doubt that that’s based on his own experience as a player and manager.

“I thought that he was coming in purely to assist Steve. I thought that it was going to be a good appointment by the former manager.

“It was a very difficult situation and one I’ve never come across in my business career at all."

Following Watson's departure, attentions now turn to his successor Askey.

The former Macclesfield Town (twice), Shrewsbury Town and Port Vale manager takes the hot seat with plenty of experience to his name, having managed in the National League, League Two and League One.

Most prominently in management, he led Macclesfield to the National League title in 2017/18 and also saw Port Vale rise from 20th to 8th in League Two.

“John has been marvellous and he has that ability to exude confidence in himself," hailed Kilmartin. "I was taken in by that completely.

“Expectations are high at York City, they always are, and it is difficult for anyone coming in. But hopefully we can go forward from here.”

Asked if Askey will be given time to succeed, Kilmartin replied: “Absolutely, yes. He has been in these (difficult) situations before and he will be in them again in the future, I’ve no doubt.

“I’m hoping that these are at York City and he can come up with the answers.”

City have appointed Askey as interim manager until the end of the season, rather than making the deal permanent.

Explaining why that move had been taken, Kilmartin said: “I think that it was the speed at which everything happened really.

"It is always a difficult decision when a manager leaves and a sad occasion for everyone concerned.

“What we have to do is look forward. Expectations at York are high and I’m not here to say what those are, John will create his own.

“He has been in football for a long time and will have far more experience than I will ever have. Therefore he will set his own targets.”