Thursday 28 July 2016 22:09, UK
Hopes have risen for the future of beleaguered York City Knights after owner John Guildford revealed he is prepared to hand over the League 1 club to a potential saviour.
The club's board of directors last Thursday announced they were closing the club down after experiencing the latest blow to their efforts to secure a new home but the Rugby Football League has been involved in rescue talks.
Now Guildford, who with his family has owned the club since 2002, says he is ready to hand it over virtually debt free to local businessman Gary Dickenson and does not require his director's loan to be repaid.
Guildford says the deal only needs legal formalities, along with RFL approval, which should be completed in the next few days, enabling the team to finish the season.
Sunday's opening Super 8s fixture with Doncaster was postponed after the Knights were told they could not use Bootham Crescent and they are now due to play Toulouse in the south of France on Saturday.
Guildford's Monday statement read: "I wish to announce the handing over of the club, subject to contracts, to Gary Dickenson Cfast Ltd as a virtually debt free, going concern that will allow the club to continue the season and compete in the Super 8s to hopefully gain promotion to play in the RL Championship next season.
"That is my gift to professional rugby league in York, to give somebody else the chance to take the club forward with the best possible start.
"I hope the new York City Knights administration have success both on the field and achieve promotion and crucially enjoy greater success in dealing with the other third parties in these matters to resolve the other much publicised issues."
