THE race to save York City FC took a new twist today as news of a fresh bid was released alongside the details of the only confirmed offer on the table.

Having made a shock appearance on the scene earlier this week, Scarborough-based businessman Jason Van Der Sarr has revealed his £6.5million plans to save the Minstermen from extinction.

But at the same time, the Evening Press has been contacted by the spokesman of the Oxfordshire millionaire, who has the only bid currently in for the club, outlining their hopes for the Division Three promotion-chasers - including the continuation of John Batchelor as chairman.

Van Der Sarr, who announced his intentions to save the clubin midweek, today told the Evening Press he was asked to help York City by his grandfather, a lifelong fan, before he died recently.

Van Der Sarr, who said he has made his money through 'hard work and property', met with the club's administrators, Jacksons Jolliffe Cork, last night to express his interest and, having spoken to a number of people at the club, is ready to do business.

Said Van Der Sarr, who watched a few York City games with his grandfather: "They seemed pretty happy with what I had to say.

"I also met with a couple of the players and got their views on things.

"The most important thing is to secure the ground for the club, so I will have to speak to Mr Craig about that.

"What I want to do is find a site in York and build a new stadium, something which the chief executive (Keith Usher) thought was a good idea, and invest in the squad.

"I can give you a figure... I'm willing to put in an opening bid of £6.5million for everything.

"I'm very confident this will work, I wouldn't be doing it otherwise."

Van Der Sarr added he was waiting to hear back from the Supporters' Trust, but would be willing to work with them.

David Willis, the club's administrator, confirmed he had met with Van Der Sarr and rated him as a 'serious contender at the moment, subject to an offer being put in'.

"We have yet to receive an offer from him," he added. "We met and discussed all aspects of the bid. He signed a confidentiality agreement and we showed him all the financial information. He said then he could do something, but there were other issues he had to look at.

"He genuinely appeared to be interested in saving the club."

As Van Der Sarr entered the running, the spokesman for the only confirmed bid to save the Minstermen, the mystery Oxfordshire-based millionaire, revealed some of the details of their bid.

The spokesman said: "He has been a friend of the chairman (Batchelor) for some time and sees this as an opportunity to help the club and secure its long-term future.

"He will provide security and assist with the relocation to a new stadium.

"Mr Batchelor would continue in the medium term as chairman to oversee operations.

"The bid is for all the assets of the football club to ensure the long-term future. It would give the club the control of its own destiny rather than it would do if there was a developer with a contract."

Updated: 12:27 Friday, January 24, 2003