YORK CITY chairman Jason McGill says he wants manager Gary Mills to spearhead the club’s promotion charge next season – and has confirmed they will remain full-time at Step 2.
The Minstermen will be playing National League North football next term after their final day relegation on Saturday with the home draw with Forest Green Rovers not enough.
Mills, who led the club to Conference play-off and FA Trophy glory in 2011-12, returned for his second spell as manager in October, replacing Jackie McNamara after a dreadful start to the season.
Former Wrexham and Gateshead boss Mills brought in a raft of new players to try and turn the club’s season around and they did reach the FA Trophy final.
Despite recently climbing out of the drop zone, just two points from their last three games resulted in a second-straight relegation.
Chairman McGill still hopes that Mills will remain with the club and help bring them back up to Non-League‘s top tier with one of the top budgets in the National League North at his disposal.
In a statement, McGill said: “The football club had, at its discretion, following relegation, the option to part company with Gary Mills without financial implication to either party.
“I decided, however, to make an offer to Gary, immediately after the game on Saturday, of further engagement as YCFC manager for season 2017-2018.
“The offer is commensurate with the status of a club playing in the National League North and has certain criteria and goals that must be achieved at key points during the season.
“Following discussions with other National League North clubs, the proposed YCFC playing budget for next season would have been in the top three, based on this season’s figures. For the avoidance of doubt, the club will remain full-time next season.
“I have given Gary until Wednesday this week to make his decision, as I believe the club cannot have managerial uncertainty, by leaving a decision until after Wembley.”
McGill also defended the input of McNamara who, after leaving his role as manager, became CEO of the Minstermen.
“The appointment of Jackie McNamara as manager, in hindsight, did not work and, as a consequence, has been a major cause for the current situation,” the chairman added.
“Jackie has, however, made some important behind-the-scenes changes, since becoming CEO at the club and more importantly, feels responsible and wants to help put things right.”
