York City's Third Division rivals Hull City face an anxious wait to see if one of two mystery bidders can save the cash-stricken club from a winding-up order.

Mounting debts, currently standing at £1.2million, have forced the City owners to talk to prospective buyers.

The Tigers have until February 7 to solve their debt problems as they have a High Court date over a winding up order brought by Customs and Excise in relation to a £200,000 unpaid tax bill.

Two consortia are said to be interested in buying the club but they would also have to either buy Boothferry Park for £1million from stadium owner David Lloyd, also a former owner of the club, or pay rent.

Kingston-upon-Hull City Council have proposed a £43.5million super-stadium for the area, but that is dependant on Hull City being able to sign up to use the new facility alongside Hull's other sports clubs and organisations.

The Tigers, who narrowly avoided winding-up proceedings last year, have reportedly put their entire squad up for sale.

And Chesterfield, runaway leaders of Division Three are also being probed by the Football Association into alleged financial and administrative malpractice.

If the allegations are proved the Spireites, who beat City 1-0 at Bootham Crescent in midweek, could be banned from promotion to Division Two.

Part of the investigation centre's on the transfer of one-time City target Luke Becketts' transfer to Saltergate from Chester, with the Conference club still to receive a second instalment from the £150,000 deal and non-payment of FA Cup gate receipts.

Updated: 11:44 Friday, January 26, 2001