JOHN Batchelor, who remains the owner of York City Football Club while it is in administration, was spotted at Bootham Crescent yesterday, writes Dave Stanford.
The surprise sighting - Batchelor has not been seen at City for a number of weeks - sparked fresh rumours as to his future at the cash-strapped club.
It was widely believed his short-lived reign was effectively over when the administrators were called in last month.
But the Evening Press understands Batchelor has been working closely with two possible bidders for the club with a view to securing a role for himself at Bootham Crescent should either offer prove successful.
Midway through the first half of the clash between City reserves and their Lincoln counterparts, Batchelor entered the ground away from the gaze of supporters and accompanied by a smartly-dressed man.
Batchelor, who was also smartly dressed, and his associate watched the match from the corner of the Main Stand and the David Longhurst Stand for little more than a minute.
It is understood they were at Bootham Crescent for no more than five minutes in total. Batchelor was also later seen leaving a hotel in the city on his own.
He declined to reveal the nature of his visit to the football ground or the name of his companion, who is believed to be one of the parties interested in acquiring City.
However, the motor-sports boss told the Evening Press: "I am working with all the bidders to try to move the situation forward."
The Evening Press understands a potential bidder for the club - not Batchelor - has held talks with City of York Council planners during the last 24 hours.
It is believed the talks centred around the thorny issue of planning permission being granted for the building of a new ground.
The Evening Press has learned the would-be owner, a businessman from the north, is looking to buy Bootham Crescent from Bootham Crescent Holdings.
If that bid and their offer to take over the football club proves successful, their plan would see City continuing to play at Bootham Crescent until a new home is built.
Updated: 12:21 Thursday, January 16, 2003
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