OXFORDSHIRE millionaire John Heynes today declared his interest in York City was at an end.

Just a few weeks ago the 55-year-old was believed to be backing a John Batchelor bid to take control of the club and was seemingly in pole position to purchase Bootham Crescent.

But speaking to the Evening Press today, Heynes said: "I regret that for me this is the end of the road with Bootham Crescent and all it stands for. I wish the club and all the other parties good luck in finding a solution.

"As one party commented 'we can do this without you'. I am glad to have shown them the way."

At the start of February, the so-called Batchelor-Heynes bid was the only offer that had been received by the club's administrators.

However, it soon emerged Batchelor's bid had stalled, paving the way for the Supporters' Trust to submit their own offer.

Heynes later distanced himself from the notion of a Batchelor-Heynes bid and described his role in the process as a 'subsidiary'.

However, he continued to be involved in talks about City's future and it was also believed he was still hoping to purchase the ground.

Revealing more about his actual involvement in the talks, Heynes today praised the City of York Council and the Supporters' Trust for their efforts in trying to find a solution.

At a meeting on February 13 involving all the major players involved in the future of the Minstermen he had put forward his own proposal.

"I am pleased to say that we had a good response. However, it was difficult to see a clear pattern of common interest as to how we were to achieve the objective that was set," he said.

"From conversations that I have had more recently I also identified a lack of urgency to move at the pace that was required. Different people have different priorities and I appreciate that.

"In addition, the financial terms of the agreement was needed and this has not been achieved."

Of the Trust's efforts he added: "I hope that their hard work will be rewarded in the long term."

Updated: 11:34 Friday, March 07, 2003