THE Supporters' Trust today explained its decision to submit a take-over bid for York City.

The move comes despite one offer from an undisclosed businessman that would include also purchasing the ground from Bootham Crescent Holdings having already being submitted to administrators.

Another would-be bidder has a similar offer pending with a third prospective purchaser understood to be still contemplating submitting another bid.

The Trust's bid will not include any deal to buy Bootham Crescent from BCH and that, says the Trust, is exactly the reason why they have decided to act.

A statement published today said the Trust's bid could be viewed as a "contingency measure".

It said: "Whilst reports suggest three other parties are interested in acquiring the club, each of these may be contingent on acquiring control over the use of Bootham Crescent.

"Clearly, it will be of benefit to the club if the use of Bootham Crescent can be assured at least until a better stadium is in place,

"However, there is no guarantee that BCH will negotiate a deal within the next few weeks. At this stage, while the Trust also continues to try and engineer a solution to the Bootham Crescent issue, it may be the only party prepared to try to save the club from extinction in a few weeks time, even if BCH is still in place as landlord."

Having last week pledged £92,000 of its funds to keep the club in existence over the next four weeks, The Trust has confirmed it is now hoping to raise £500,000 to see the club through to June 2003.

Trust spokesperson Sophie McGill said: "We're asking for people to back the Trust to help ensure a future for professional football in York. The club is a community asset that must be saved."

The Trust statement admitted the amount of money it is trying to raise is "very substantial".

"In the circumstances, there is no hard and fast rule about setting the target," explained today's statement. "The rules regarding so-called 'football creditors' also complicate the situation.

"However, at this stage, if up to £500,000 could be raised to see the club through to the end of the season there is then significant scope to bring the club's spending back into line with income."

More than £120,000 of firm pledges has already been received by the Trust in recent weeks, including one supporters who has pledged £50,000 but wishes to remain an anonymous.

McGill said: "The Trust already has significant financial backing in place. We need further support from the people and businesses of York to help deliver a community club for future generations."

The Evening Press reported last week the Trust were expecting to submit their own offer for the club to the administrators.

Trust chairman Richard Snowball confirmed during half-time at Saturday's match that the fans' body would be submitting their own bid.

"Without you, the supporters, the club would not exist at all," he said.

Updated: 13:24 Monday, January 20, 2003