York City have rejected a bid from Coca-Cola League Two strugglers Grimsby Town for top scorer Richard Brodie.

While the Minstermen’s board declined to reveal the figures involved, Sophie Hicks, the club’s communications and community director, said the offer – made in a phone call by Mariners’ chairman John Fenty – was “nowhere near our valuation”.

Fenty revealed that Grimsby, who are six points adrift of safety, had made a “significant bid for a York City player”, but did not identify his target.

Grimsby, managed by former York striker Neil Woods, are in the market for a frontman with top scorer Barry Conlon, the ex-City player, leaving Blundell Park this week.

But Hicks, while confirming Brodie as the subject of the offer, revealed the clubs were miles apart in their figures.

Hicks said: “We were verbally approached by Grimsby Town for Richard Brodie. Nothing was received in writing. Their chairman contacted our chairman, Jason McGill, but their offer was nowhere near our valuation.

“Let’s just say some people’s idea of significant is very different to others. We would like to reiterate that we would like Richard Brodie to stay at York City and be part of the team’s efforts to gain promotion this season.

“Richard Brodie is very happy at York City. He is enjoying his football and is currently enjoying being England’s leading goalscorer.”

Brodie, pictured, has also been linked with Peterborough, Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield.

Meanwhile, there have been other comings and goings at Bootham Crescent.

• From Back Page City boss Martin Foyle has brought in Cambridge United midfielder Courtney Pitt on loan until the end of the season.

The 29-year-old, who began his career at Chelsea alongside Minsterman Neil Barrett, also played with the City player at Portsmouth before going on to Luton, Coventry, Oxford and Boston.

With winger Craig Nelthorpe going on loan to Luton, Pitt, who has played more than 100 times for Cambridge since joining in 2005, reinforces Foyle’s options on the left flank.

“He’s one I have been looking at for a while,” the City boss said. “He has always caused us problems and it was the right deal at the right time. He’s quick and a good distributor.”

As part of the Pitt deal, Simon Russell has gone to the Abbey Stadium for the rest of the campaign.

Neither player can appear against the other club in any competition so won’t feature in today’s Blue Square Premier fixture.

Kevin Gall has also signed a permanent contract at York until the end of the season.

Gall netted his first goal for the club last weekend in the 4-1 defeat of Hayes and Yeading and has made seven appearances for the club so far, mostly featuring as a substitute.

When asked if Gall had been a bit unlucky at City to date, Foyle added: “Like some of them have.

“When they get their chances they have to take them. He has something a little bit different and there is healthy competition.”

And the City chief has not ruled out further forays into the market throughout the rest of the January window.

Foyle said: “I am always looking. We need that final push. Stevenage are going to bring a lot of players in. We have cleared two out and brought only one in.

“I am still a little bit light but while the players are performing like they are we are not going to panic.”

• City’s Blue Square Premier game against Salisbury at Bootham Crescent on Saturday, January 30, has been postponed.

If the Minstermen are still in the FA Trophy, they will play their third round match against Corby on that date.

Even if they are knocked out on Tuesday by Newport, Salisbury will still be involved on Trophy duty on January 30.