CHAIRMAN Trevor Cox has denied claims that former York Rugby League Club star St John Ellis was offered the coaching job at Huntington Stadium.

Cox confirmed that he and other directors held talks with Ellis and a Midlands-based businessman earlier this week but insisted the club "have not been looking for a new coach".

York-born Ellis, meanwhile, claimed the prospect of the York job was "too good to be true" and subsequently quit his full-time post as assistant coach at First Division Hunslet Hawks.

Said Cox: "St John Ellis is a well-respected former player of this club. He contacted me and offered his services as indeed did another gentleman who he introduced.

"We have explored the possibility of taking up his offer and thank him for his efforts on behalf of the club. We believe the best interests of the club are served by supporting the present coaching team, which we believe has done a wonderful job.

"If the position had been that Dean Robinson felt unable to continue because of recent events we would have looked at all possibilities. I am sure St John's offer would have been favourably considered. But the offer of help came from him."

However, Ellis said: "It is my home town club and I have got a lot of fond memories. My main interest was to keep York alive. I gave York good service and I felt I could probably do a great job for them on my return.

"I am left really with a bitter taste in my mouth. All my family are in York, that is where I started my rugby league career, I signed professional at York.

"I would love to go back to Hunslet but it makes me look as if I am not a professional. You live and learn and it is a fool that gets caught the same way twice.

"I was going there with good intentions. I wish York all the best, I always look for their results and I do hope they can stay alive."If I am a casualty of war then let it be as long as the club stayed alive."

The ex-Great Britain international, whose professional career has also taken in spells at Bradford, Keighley, Halifax and Castleford, said he has since received another job offer, which was a "breath of fresh air".

The would-be backer, who has a long-standing interest in rugby league, contacted the Evening Press to point out that his offer of financial backing was not dependent on Ellis being appointed coach.

He claimed he was invited to a meeting with Ellis and Cox on Tuesday and was willing to inject a "substantial" amount of cash."I am a rugby league fan who thought he might be able to help out a friend and the club," he said.

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