FORMER York City chairman Douglas Craig today welcomed the news that a firm bid has been received to try to keep the club alive.

Douglas Craig, who is chairman of Bootham Crescent Holdings, which owns the football ground, said: "I am very pleased. It is not for me to accept the bids, but Bootham Crescent Holdings does not have a problem with either of the two people that appear to have put in bids."

He said: "I am not aware of the identity of the bidders and have had no contact with the administrators.

"It looks as if there could be a successful outcome. We will have to await developments."

Meanwhile, York MP Hugh Bayley today praised the York City Supporters' Trust for stepping in to keep football alive in the city.

He congratulated the trust after it agreed to fund City while administrators mulled over bids to save the club.

The Evening Press reported yesterday that administrators Jackson Jolliffe Cork had received one firm bid for City, while another bid was pending.

The trust then stepped into the breach agreeing to use its funds to keep the club trading while "attempts are made to conclude a sale".

Mr Bayley said: "I congratulate the trust. It is vital to keep York City playing until a future owner is found.

"The bids show that hard-nosed business people think York City has a future.

"I want an owner who has a long-term commitment to the health and vitality of the club."

City president John Greenway, the MP for Ryedale, said he hoped one of the bids would provide a sustainable future for the club.

He said: "While I was desperately disappointed that the local consortium bid fell through, I hope that we can end up with the deal that should have been done nine months ago.

"I am desperately concerned about the players, the manager and all the staff at the club.

"What they have been through in the last month, they should not have been in that position."

City of York Council also welcomed news of the bids and said the authority was on hand to help, should it be needed.

A spokesman said: "Clearly we want the club to be saved. We have encouraged and are happy to support any viable and serious bid that helps to save the football club.

"We have said how much we want to keep professional sport in the city. We are delighted if these are substantial and serious bids for the club."

Updated: 11:56 Friday, January 17, 2003