York City Knights were today rocked by the news that chief executive John Guildford is to quit after having had enough of the boo-boys.

Guildford, who came in for severe criticism in the wake of the “Headingleygate” affair which led to the sacking of then player-coach Paul March last month, said he will step down on October 5, the end of the current 2009 season, and after he had put “hundreds of thousands of pounds” into the Huntington Stadium club.

He added he was walking away from the club he has helmed for seven years for the good of his family, who had also come in for terrace abuse.

Declared Guildford: “I have always put the club first and now is the time to put my family first.

“Some of the insults they take is unwarranted and I am not prepared to let this go on. My family and I have worked full-time, seven days a week, for the club for no remuneration whatsoever.

“I believe now is the time to step down and give others the opportunity to take the club forward.”

Guildford, who is the head of the Guildford Construction company, revealed that when the Knights were reborn from the ashes of York Wasps in 2002, he was originally asked to invest £55,000 to help the club raise the £75,000 it needed to get back into rugby league.

He added: “Circumstances changed very quickly and I then was involved full-time and the time and money put in over the last seven years amounts to hundreds of thousands of pounds.”

One of his achievements was that he believed the Championship One club was now in better shape than most rival outfits.

He added that his shares would now be put up for sale, declaring how any profit will go to the York City Knights Foundation.

Said Guildford: “I have spoken to Gary Hall (Supporters’ Club chairman) and he is to join the board and ensure the club moves forward.

“My shares will be put up for sale to those who either want to help or run the club and I hope people will come forward.

“I still have the club at heart and will help the new owners if required to ensure it survives and prospers but I have taken the club as far as I can. It is now up to others to move it forward.”

As he reflected on his reign, he said there had been highs and low.

“I would have to say the last-minute defeat at the hands of Halifax in the final of the 2004 play-off was the low,” he said.

“The high was winning promotion into division one in 2005, followed by a low when we failed to stay up the following year, which to this day I believe would have seen the future of the club completely change as the support in the first division is considerably more.”

Guildford, who was hurt by insults aimed at him during last month’s game against Blackpool, said he did not think every Knights fan would mourn his exit.

But he added: “I can look back at the last seven years and rugby league in York has benefited from when the club was first formed.

“The rugby scene in York is in a far better shape than what we found it in, in 2002. This makes me proud of what the club has achieved over the last seven years and I now wish to focus on getting the club promotion.”

Knights general manager Ian Wilson paid tribute to Guildford.

He said: “I know how much time and effort he and his family have given to this club. It has been a pleasure to work with him.

“Now, more than ever, we need the supporters to do what they do best and support the club.

“I also urge any interested parties or individuals to contact the club should they wish to become involved.”

Meanwhile, the Knights added that with both James Ratcliffe and Mick Ramsden confirmed as the coaching team, some 11 players of the current squad have agreed to sign for the 2010 season.

The 11 are: Danny Ratcliffe, Chris Clough, Ian Bell, Lee Waterman, Brett Waller, Tom Lineham, Jonathan Schofield, Tom Stancliffe, Kris Peacock, Mike Mitchell and Chris Williams.

Also the new away shirt for next year will be in the old York Wasps colours (amber, black and white) in memory of the great ex-York player Vic Yorke who passed away last month. The home strip will be the traditional blue and white colour.

• New recruits Loz Wildbore and Luke Ambler – plus trialist Danny Flintoft – will get a run out with the Knights Reserve Grade side tonight. The duo will line up against Sheffield at Huntington Stadium (8pm).