FORMER York City chairman and the club's current landlord Douglas Craig was remaining tight-lipped today over whether he would be willing to offer the football club an extended stay at Bootham Crescent.

Two months ago, when asked by the Evening Press if he would be prepared to extend City's lease beyond this season should the club need more time to complete their redevelopment of Huntington Stadium, Craig said he was not prepared to speculate.

Speaking today, and with it increasingly unlikely a redeveloped Huntington will be ready for the start of next season in August 2004, Bootham Crescent Holdings chairman Craig said his stance had not changed.

"It is entirely in the hands of the football club," he said.

"The lease runs out on May 31 and there has been no approach from York City Football Club with regards seeking a continuation thereafter."

The football club said today it would wait until its planning application had been submitted before approaching Craig about a lease extension should it be needed.

City said only when its application had been submitted could a more accurate time-line for the revamp be drawn up.

Club director Sophie McGill said: "When we are in the position to submit a planning application we will have more of an idea of when construction will begin.

"If it is then deemed necessary, we will approach Douglas Craig formally to request an extension to the lease.

"However, there is no point asking if we have not submitted our planning application."

The club's agreement with ground owners Bootham Crescent Holdings to stay at their home for the past 71 years runs out at the end of this season, when it is anticipated the Minstermen will move to a redeveloped Huntington Stadium shared by York City Knights Rugby League Club.

However, City's plans to submit a planning application for their revamp have been riddled by hitches and hurdles.

Only last week, it was revealed a Roman camp had been discovered on the site realising the prospect of further delays.

The club had originally intended to submit its planning application at the end of July.

Now the blueprint is not expected to be submitted until mid-November at the earliest.

Even if the application is then approved - and the planning process is complicated by the fact the stadium is on council-owned land - it is already up to four months behind schedule.

The future of the running track at Huntington has still to be determined, while adding to the problems is the fact the Knights will kick off their new season at the stadium in February 2004.

The redevelopment work, should it get the green light, is expected to impact on the Knights being able to stage matches at Huntington. A possible temporary ground share with City at Bootham Crescent has been mooted.

Even without any further delays, doubts as to whether Huntington can be brought up to Football League standards in time next season's start remain.

If it is not brought up to standard in time, City, their lease to stay at Bootham Crescent by then having run out, face the prospect of having nowhere to play their opening home fixtures.

As reported last week, the Football Licensing and Safety Committee was due to meet with club representatives and council officials at Huntington Stadium today

The club need to know their plans will obtain a safety licence from the body before submitting their planning application.

Defender Scott Jones, released from his City contract this season for 'personal reasons', has joined Alfreton Town.

Updated: 10:48 Thursday, November 06, 2003