YORK City FC is having a "pistol put to its head" over its relocation to Huntington Stadium, according to local MP John Greenway.

Mr Greenway, who is also club president, said there was no need for the club to be put under pressure over the new scheme at Huntington Stadium, when no planning application had been passed for Bootham Crescent.

He said the club should be given a further two years at their present home to give them time to sort out the Huntington scheme.

Mr Greenway, whose Ryedale constituency includes Huntington, said: "Why should the football club have a pistol to its head when there is no planning consent to build on Bootham Crescent? What is the rush?"

The comments follow a warning from City of York Council's leader, Steve Galloway, that the club's planned move to Huntington was in danger of falling behind schedule.

Coun Galloway said the move could only take place if the running track remained and temporary stands were built.

But City said this option was "expensive, ludicrous and illogical", and would leave the club without key income generators, such as the ticket office and club shop.

Mr Greenway said keeping the track at Huntington Stadium was not feasible and it should be moved elsewhere, possibly to York University.

He said the council should put pressure on Persimmon and Bootham Crescent Holdings (BCH) to give the club more time at Bootham Crescent.

But Coun Galloway said Mr Greenway should speak to BCH chairman Douglas Craig about giving City an extension at Bootham Crescent.

He said: "Bootham Crescent Holdings have said, irrespective of whether planning permission is granted, they will be terminating the lease on the ground by next May."

Updated: 11:04 Thursday, July 10, 2003