RELATIONS between York’s two leading sports clubs have hit a new low following a text-message row between the respective figureheads.

York City chairman Jason McGill and York City Knights chief John Guildford are at loggerheads over a request from the rugby league club to use City’s Bootham Crescent ground for their Challenge Cup tie against Super League big-guns Hull KR.

The exchange between the two supremos – which The Press can exclusively reveal today after receiving a transcript of the text conversation from McGill – ended with Guildford saying the two clubs would not be able to share a ground as planned and that he was forming an objection to the proposed new community stadium.

It all comes amid a backdrop of discontent between the clubs over proposals to rebuild Huntington Stadium, the home of the Knights and City of York Athletics Club.

City, along with City of York Council, are pushing ahead with plans for the football and rugby clubs to share a new revamped arena.

Guildford, however, has pulled out of those talks, saying the process has been a waste of taxpayers’ money. He has cast doubts over the two clubs’ ability to share facilities either at a new stadium or at Bootham Crescent while construction takes place.

The new quarrel began after Guildford asked McGill if the Knights could use the football ground to host their tie on Sunday, May 8, when demand from a travelling army of Hull KR fans could exceed the 4,000 capacity of Huntington Stadium.

City said they would consider it but might not know until late April if they could host the tie as they could qualify for a Blue Square Bet Premier play-off match that week. There were also questions over logistics.

However, the Knights wanted a straight answer, saying they could not wait that long to start organising the tie. They argued the logistics could be dealt with once they knew where the game would be played. It will now remain at Huntington Stadium.

Guildford – who saw a request to stage a Knights play-off match at Bootham Crescent last year turned down – said: “They said they’d let us know by the end of April but we couldn’t wait until then to get things arranged.

“It’s a bit disappointing they were unable to help us out for a big game.”

City’s communications director, Sophie Hicks, said: “We have been in communication with the Knights and are happy to consider hosting a match.

“However, the Knights requested May 8. We are unable to commit to this date as we still have the possibility of making the play-offs and the second leg is on Tuesday, May 10.

“There would be significant ticket sales and ground work required in the run-up to the game. We therefore confirmed we may not be able to give them a decision until after the last game of the season on April 30.

“We did ask the Knights to provide a list of their requirements for the use of Bootham Crescent, so we could provide them with costings. We did not receive this information. We also suggested a meeting between our two general managers to discuss the match further, but we did not hear back from John Guildford.

“We want to work with the Knights and have stated in the (community) stadium advisory group meetings they can have shared use of Bootham Crescent when the new community stadium is being built. We believe the shared use of Bootham Crescent can work on a temporary basis and would put plans in place to ensure things ran smoothly for both parties.”

Full transcript of text conversation between Knights chief John Guildford and City chairman Jason McGill:

JOHN GUILDFORD: Hi Jason, hope you are well. Would we be able to play our game 8 may v hull kr if yes what’s the cost? Regards John

JASON McGIL: John, why do you want to play at Bootham Crescent?

JG: Size of ground.

JM: What crowd are you expecting?

JG: ?????They have 8000 season ticket holders

JM: How many supporters do Hull K R usually take to away fixtures? And how many home supporters do you expect to attend?

JG: Don’t know.

JM: Presumably you are expecting more than the 4000 capacity at Huntington Stadium and I would need to know what facilities you require YCFC to provide other (than) the provision of the playing surface. What do you have in mind?

JG: Same as we had when we played Leeds a few years back.

JM: Can you please update the requirement as we do not have records of the Leeds game going back to that time.

JG: Boardroom/ vp and players food.

JM: What about stewarding,
turnstile operators, safety officer, staffing of hospitality, Social Club and cash collection etc. Are we to provide and charge?

JG: No we will provide this if it’s easier for you.*

JM: I suggest Ian Wilson either has a telephone conversation or meets with Ross Potter, YCFC General Manager and Safety Officer Chris Tock to discuss full requirements and associated costs inorder (sic) to give you a charge that is sensible and does not have a negative financial impact on YCFC and to discuss issues that may affect the safety certificate at Bootham Crescent. I will let Ross Potter know to expect a call from Ian Wilson.

JG: Jason, can we play the game or not? the logistics can be solved later on. Think we paid 2 k last time can you give us a quick reply. Thanks.

JM: John, I cannot give you a cost until I have a full list of your requirements. I am not talking about logistics. As long as it is not financially damaging to YCFC I do not see any reason why the game could not go ahead at Bootham Crescent but I want someone at the Knights to provide a full list of requirements. YCFC staff will need to be present. I am also unable to give you a quick reply as YCFC are still in with a chance of making the play offs, the 2nd leg is scheduled for the 9th May. I won’t know the position until the end of April, our last game is 30th April.

JG: Thanks it’s clear it will not work so we will move on. Jason, it does confirm my concerns you need more information than I needed for us to fully share a stadium I don’t think sharing a new stadium will work either. Regards John.

JM: I am not saying it will not work quite the contrary and my texts to you show I am trying to be helpful by stating you can play the game at Bootham Crescent, but I need more information from you to put a cost to you. It is a fact that YCFC could realise a play off place. I think the fact you want to play at BC shows you have a need for a bigger capacity facility which you stated yourself. I think any neutral reviewing our correspondence would see my responses and questions as reasonable. If you have concerns you have the ability to voice your issues at the Stadium Advisory Group meetings. So to confirm I can see no reason why your game could not be staged at YCFC if you provide more information. I don’t think this game has anything to do with sharing a new stadium. Jason

JG: We cannot wait for a reply till end of April. Thanks anyway. We will not be attending the SAG as we are putting together a (sic) objection to the stadium as proposed. It would be better to just update Huntington stadium for us and the athletics and save the tax payer money. John

* denotes a text John Guildford says he sent, but Jason McGill denies receiving