York City’s board are forecasting another “significant” operating loss at the end of the current season.

Based on the current playing budget, which is estimated to be the eight or ninth highest in the Blue Square Bet Premier, City officials expect to make £350,000 in operating losses.

A proportion of that deficit will be offset by Richard Brodie’s six-figure sale to Crawley Town in August and that fee, which is less than the oft-reported £275,000 but also subject to a sell-on clause, has been banked in a one-off payment.

City’s accounts for the year ending June 2010, which will again be bolstered by last season’s Wembley appearance and the run to the FA Cup third round, are yet to be filed but are expected to be published close to Christmas.

But, looking further ahead, a statement released by the club said: “The financial position of York City remains the same as previous recent seasons.

“The club is likely to make a significant operating loss this year but continues to be financially supported by their Malton-based parent company JM Packaging.”

City have also pointed out that recent redundancies at Bootham Crescent were “essential” to reduce costs.

The statement added: “York City continue to work hard to increase commercial revenue, though this is a difficult task in the current economic climate. In order to reduce costs at the club, which is essential, York City have been forced to make two redundancies recently as part of a review of operations.

“Other cost reducing measures which have been implemented this season include new stewarding arrangements and the outside management of the Social Club, now the Pitchside Bar.”

Communications director Sophie Hicks added that the club were trying to minimise any impact on the club’s wage bill.

She said: “Due to the current economic climate, like a lot of businesses, we have been forced to look at cost reductions for the long-term benefit of York City.

“We have tried to maintain a healthy playing budget in order to give us the best chance of on-pitch success and we are now looking forward to the arrival of a new manager to make this happen.”

City are planning to unveil a new manager before Saturday’s home match with Bath City but, in the meantime, youth-team coach Steve Torpey will continue in a caretaker capacity.

The Minstermen had approached Darlington to speak to their manager Mark Cooper but, after being rebuffed, are now unlikely to consider the former Kettering chief unless he resigns from his post at the Northern Echo Arena.

Meanwhile, as reported yesterday on The Press website, ex-City boss Martin Foyle has been interviewed for the Hereford United managerial vacancy.

He is now waiting to hear whether he has been successful, along with six other candidates at the npower League Two outfit.