YORK City Supporters Trust chairman John Lacy has expressed his concern at the club’s rising expenditure in National League North.

Operational losses of £300,000 were recorded during the Minstermen’s 2015/16 season that culminated in relegation from the Football League and that figure is likely to be greater when accounts are released detailing the implications of last term’s unsuccessful campaign in the National League.

In the summer of 2016, the total money that had been pumped in by Malton-based City chairman Jason McGill to cover losses during his then ten-year tenure of the club amounted to £3.638 million.

Under the JM Packaging takeover deal, agreed with the Trust in 2006, that would mean he is entitled to receive back £4.752million following the sale of Bootham Crescent and relocation to Monks Cross, but McGill has maintained that he will not be asking for the interest payments that result in that higher number.

He has also stated that he expects to now forego any more money he contributes to the club beyond the equity left in Bootham Crescent following its purchase by Persimmon Homes.

Outlining his worries about City’s balance sheets, Lacy said: “Supporters’ anxieties about the increasing stresses and strains on finance are likely to increase. We respect Jason McGill's determination to maintain York City as a full-time club, with one of the biggest spending budgets in this division, but the Trust, as 25 per cent shareholders, is bound also to raise questions about the long-term viability of such a high-spending strategy.

“Continuing to maintain a full-time, Football League standard operation in the sixth tier is a very tall order, with still no signs of building at Monks Cross.”

Lacy, meanwhile, expressed his sadness at the departure of Gary Mills, whilst adding his best wishes for the Minstermen’s new management team of Martin Gray and Dave Penney.

“The York City Supporters Trust believes most fans will be saddened by the departure of Gary Mills who achieved heroic status during his first spell as manager at Bootham Crescent,” Lacy pointed out. “None of us will ever forget those Wembley days in May 2012 when Gary and his players brought trophies and triumph to York City, and restored pride of place back in the Football League.

“In every City fan's scrapbook of memories, those images from Gary's open-top-bus victory parade through the streets of York will retain a special place for ever. The Trust has no doubt that it was Gary's sincerest wish to return York City to former glories when he returned to our once more struggling club almost 12 months ago.

“It was not to be. We are sure that Gary and Darren Caskey are as distressed as we fans are that it has ended in such bitter disappointment, but we thank Gary for the special things he has done for York City, and we wish him and Darren all the best for the future.

“The future at now belongs to a new management team and the Trust extends a warm and enthusiastic welcome to Martin and Dave, while pledging our full support to their efforts. We know that they will be just as aware as our supporters are that, yet again, York City faces another critical period in its history.

“On the field, player performance must improve and many more points must be won. Now is the time for every member of the playing squad to reflect and reward the supporters by matching the fans' superb commitment and passion for the club.

“Our new management team comes with high-profile recommendation and relevant experience. It is particularly encouraging to hear about Dave Penney's understanding of scouting and recruitment and of his many contacts in the game.”