Craig out

He was chairman of City until March when John Batchelor took over the club. Batchelor drove over from his home in Cheshire to the ground to personally meet Craig this afternoon.

Craig's decision to go could help pave the way for the City Supporters' Trust to get their representation on the board.

In a letter to Batchelor today Craig said: "You will recall that when you first approached me about requiring ownership of the club I made it clear that I had no desire to continue as a director and that any arrangement we came to would not include a condition that I, or any of the directors at that time, should remain on the football club board.

"I did say I would be available to give any assistance which you felt would be beneficial to the club.

"In the event you specifically asked me when you acquired ownership of the club at the beginning of April to remain on the board and made it clear it would be for as long as I liked.

"I believe however that the time has now arrived for me to leave the board and this letter is my formal resignation effected immediately as a director of York City Football Club.

"I wish you and the club every success in the future and will, of course, continue to be a supporter."

A statement released from the club responded to Craig's letter by saying: "We would like to thank Mr Craig for his involvement over the last ten years and believe he did an excellent job in keeping the club in business for as long as he did.

"We wish him evry success in the future."

It is expected that Craig would in any event remain as chairman of Bootham Crescent Holdings, the effective owners of City's ground.

Craig, 73, and the City directors put the club up for sale on December 20 last year. They pledged enough funds to see the club through to the end of the season but made clear their intention to step down at the end of the campaign.

The club faced closure unless new owners could be found.

Talks were soon opened with motorsport tycoon John Batchelor, who took over the club in March, with Craig taking a back seat in City affairs after 14 years in the football limelight.

However, Batchelor indicated that Craig would stay on with other members of the old board for an interim period.

Craig's spell at City has been controversial with the Scot never afraid to speak his mind - a style which earned him several opponents. The club's failure to sign an anti-racism charter was one policy which drew strong criticsm.

Several anti-Craig demonstrations at Bootham Crescent have taken place in recent years as the club struggled in the lower reaches of Division Three of the Football League.

After eight years as a season ticket holder he was appointed to the City board on August 24, 1978.

He was in the hot-seat when City enjoyed some of their finest hours, notably the thrilling Wembley play-off final victory over Crewe in 1993 and the Coca-Cola Cup triumph over Manchester United two years later.

But City were relegated on the final day of the 1998-99 season and have struggled ever since.

Generating cash has been a constant problem for City in recent years and the club has sold its young talent like Jonathan Greening, Richard Cresswell and Graeme Murty to survive.

Craig insisted on sell-on fees to ensure City felt the benefit of future transfers of those young players.

Should Craig step down then the board would consist John Batchelor, Barry Swallow, Colin Webb, Josh Easby, Ian McAndrew and Nick Townend.

Craig succeeded Michael Sinclair as City chairman in June 1991. Five managers worked at City during his 11 years in office.

Craig was born in Broughty Ferry in Scotland and has live in York since 1964.

Updated: 16:07 Monday, July 29, 2002