FORMER caretaker boss Viv Busby has accused York City's board of "going behind his back" in their search for a new manager.

Busby claims the club held interviews for the position without his knowledge despite originally telling him that they would like him to be involved in the selection process.

And Busby also alleges that he found out the club were speaking to interested candidates, including new boss Billy McEwan, from a City player on the eve of Sunday's home match with Aldershot although he adds that he had already "smelt a rat".

The Minstermen's directors began the search for a prospective new manager after Busby offered his resignation following the 3-0 FA Trophy defeat at Burton. Busby says that the club indicated at the time that they would like him to continue as a coach at KitKat Crescent.

He said: "I thought my gesture after the Burton game was a decent one. I did not want the club to be relegated again.

"I'm an honest man not a selfish one and I wanted the club to give themselves their best possible chance. My emotions were running high and they did not like the fact that I went public straight after the game because they felt I should have gone to them first.

"They then told me I had put myself in a difficult situation but asked me to come in on the interviews if they did decide to appoint somebody as they would like me to stay on as a coach. We left it at that and the team did really well after Burton but, on the Saturday morning before the Aldershot game, I had a phone call from one of the players telling me interviews were being held for the job.

"I called Jason McGill and asked him what was happening. As far as I'm concerned they went behind my back and I don't work like that, especially when the players knew what was going on. He apologised for it getting out and said he hadn't thought it would but that was too late in my opinion.

"I stewed about it all weekend and, after telling my wife I didn't think I could work with these people any more, I told them I wanted to finish at a meeting on Wednesday. They said we haven't got anybody to bring in so I said you better get somebody then and, 20 minutes after I left the ground, I heard Billy McEwan had been appointed.

"I understand football and I am not knocking anybody. I'm just telling it how it is.

"I didn't want to leave but there's certain rules and regulations in football. They run the club and have done a magnificent job to keep it going and I know they have York City's best interests at heart but I don't think this has been handled very professionally."

City's communications director Sophie McGill responded: "These situations are always difficult and it is disappointing that there has been some misunderstanding regarding the events which have taken place.

"However, the board of directors are confident that all decisions have been made in the best interests of our supporters and York City Football Club.

"Now the ground issue has been fully resolved, the improvement of on pitch performances must be our sole priority and we will be supporting Billy McEwan fully in order to ensure this aim is achieved."

Player-coach Lee Nogan, 35, has also parted company with the club after a settlement was 'mutually agreed'.

Updated: 10:20 Saturday, February 12, 2005