This week the Supporters’ Trust Board has passed all three bids received for a majority shareholding in York City Football Club to its Scrutiny Committee for consideration. The Scrutiny Committee are assessing the bids against eight criteria:

  • Proposed New Ownership and Leadership structure for York City FC
  • Motivation and Ambition
  • Financing
  • Football operations
  • Other Operations
  • Fan Engagement
  • Community
  • Role of YCST

Following an initial screening process two of the three potential investors have been invited to an interview with the Scrutiny Committee to consider their bids further. In advance of these interviews, they have also been asked to provide a summary of their proposals against each of the eight criteria listed .

We expect the interview process to be completed by 6 March 2023. The Scrutiny Committee will then provide a summary of its findings to the Supporters’ Trust Board, who will expedite the takeover process. As mentioned in our statement 24th Feb, we are conscious that it is in the best interests of the football club to complete the takeover process as soon as possible to provide greater stability to players and the wider club community.

We expect the Scrutiny Committee to make recommendations to the Supporters’ Trust Board on the suitability and relative merit of each bid, but it will not be the vehicle that makes the decision.

The Trust board would like to acknowledge the considerable time and effort by all parties involved in the bidding process. Throughout our time working with all parties we are proud and thankful to see such a commitment to York City FC.

The Scrutiny Committee is headed by Trust Board Members: Seth Sowerby and Jim Calverley. They are joined by Trust members: Adam Vause, Paul Rawnsley and Nick Hales. All three independent members of the Scrutiny Committee have been selected for their significant set of skills and experience that will enhance the process. The Supporters Trust Board want to thank them for their considerable efforts and support. See below bios for all the Scrutiny Committee members.

Paul Rawnsley

Life-long York City fan and former Trust Board member from 2002 to 2007. Paul is the Senior Director of Deloitte’s Sports Business Group working globally across a range of sports and with particular experience of football finance, club transactions and financial regulations in sport.

Adam Vause

York City fan since 1981. Adam is a Partner at an international law firm. He has over 20 years’ experience as a solicitor.

Nick Hales

Nick has been attending York City matches, home and away, for almost 40 years. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 2001, he has spent the last 21 years with bp in a wide range of finance and strategy roles including planning, reporting, financial control, investor relations and finance transformation. He currently holds a vice president position within bp’s group strategy function.

Seth Sowerby

Supporters’ Trust Board member since October 2022, and York City fan since 1982. Seth is a senior software engineer with a major US technology company.

Jim Calverley

Supporters Trust Board member since November 2021, elected in August 2022. Jim has attended and supported York City with family & friends since a young age. Jim is a Resource Planner at a prominent UK based insurance company.

Photo Credit: Tom Poole