Chairman Jason McGill and CEO Jackie McNamara have stepped down from their roles at York City following the decision made by York City Supporters’ Trust members to decline handing over their 25 per cent shareholding to owner JM Packaging.
McGill listed the proud former Football League club for sale last week after Trust members voted two to one against the proposal.
In return, the Trust would have received a special ‘golden share’ to keep certain protections in place, knowing the long-standing owner was likely to withdraw his funding if they refused.
McGill, who said he would see the Trust’s decision as a “vote of confidence” in him, stayed true to his word and put the club up for sale “to someone who is able to reconcile the Trust’s objective of operating on a break-even financial position, whilst providing both the finances and aspiration necessary for any sporting entity to be successful”.
The long-standing owner has now stepped down along with McNamara, and a new board of directors has been revealed.
A statement read: “Further to the decision by a majority of 139 York City Supporters’ Trust members to decline the J M Packaging offer of financing the football club until the opening of the new Community Stadium and, as a consequence, the decision by J M Packaging to offer the Company’s interest in York City Football Club for sale, the club has today issued the following statement.
“With immediate effect the Chairman, Jason McGill, is retiring from his role and will have no further involvement in the running of the club.
“With immediate effect CEO, Jackie McNamara, is leaving York City Football Club.
“With immediate effect a new board of directors has been established to run the football club with the pressing need to produce a breakeven position whilst maintaining the aspiration of success.
“The new board consists of four directors:
- Ian McAndrew, Chartered Surveyor, as Stadium Development Director
- Dave Penney as Sporting Director
- Richard Adams as Marketing and Communications Director
- Steven Kilmartin, Chartered Accountant, who will join as Managing Director in due course. Steven – under secondment from Hentons – will also undertake a thorough review of the club’s finances immediately.”
