York Minstermen Statement

[Frank]

The Committe of York Minstermen has released the following statement on the current uncertainty surrounding York City FC in an attempt to clarify the reasons for its temporary freeze on donations:

At a recent meeting, the committee of York Minstermen decided to maintain its stance of taking no position on the possible transfer of shares in York City FC to parties other than the Supporters’ Trust.

In particular, we would like to stress that we are not associated with any group, faction, or company involved in the debate over the future ownership of York City FC.

We are not indifferent to the problems facing the Club and the Trust, but with over 100 members, all shades of opinion are represented amongst the membership. In this situation, we feel it would be inappropriate for the committee to commit the organisation to a potentially controversial or divisive course, which could damage our fundraising activities.

Nevertheless, many members and supporters have expressed unease about giving money to the Club until it becomes clear how such donations are likely to be spent, and by whom.

In order to encourage donations and fundraising activities to continue during this period of uncertainty, we have temporarily frozen donations to Club and Trust. We will continue all our fundraising activities, and hope other supporters' groups will do likewise.

This freeze does not affect donations or transfers of money we’d already committed ourselves to making, such as the money for the Spring Raffle, but it does include the Pitch in a Pound bucket collections, the proceeds of which the Club Board has agreed we should hold until such time as the repair work to the pitch is carried out.

All money held by York Minstermen will in due course be donated to the Club and/or the Trust, once the current uncertainty has been resolved.