Would-be investors in York City have been 'advised' to stay clear by club chairman Douglas Craig.

The City supremo declared that any potential backer seeking to contact the club as candidates willing to snap up the shares to be off-loaded by retiring director Brian Houghton should spare themselves the effort.

The Evening Press understands that there are several supporters of the Second Division club who would like the chance to take the place of Houghton and join the club's board, which is now four strong.

Houghton confirmed to the Evening Press that he has quit after 20 years of service as a director.

He cited 'disillusionment' with football in general and specifically his role at Bootham Crescent.

But if Houghton's shares were to be made available to any prospective new member of the board - and Craig insisted that no talks have even been held yet, let alone a decision been taken - then it would only be by the invitation of the current directors and major shareholders of himself, Colin Webb, Barry Swallow and John Quickfall.

"If we wanted to bring in a director, which is something we still have to discuss, then people need not apply. They need not bother," said Craig.

"If we were to go down that course then it would be by invitation only. It would be a question of 'don't call us, we'll call you'."

However, the City chairman reiterated that there have been no discussions yet of what to do with the bulk of the 12,500 shares to be sold by Houghton at their face value price of £1 each.

Those talks are unlikely to take place for several weeks, when the next board meeting is scheduled.

"We have not even considered it yet," said Craig. "We haven't had the chance to discuss it with all the board members present. It will be the board who will make the final decision."

Another option open to the present directors, should they not wish to bring in a replacement for Houghton and restore the strength of the board to five, is to take up the shares themselves.

Under club rules the shares of any departing director have first to be offered to the present board.

Meanwhile, Craig paid tribute to the outgoing Houghton, whose main area of responsibility during his 20 years on the board was overseeing the redevelopment of Bootham Crescent.

Said Craig: "He made an excellent contribution to the club during his period as a director for which we are all grateful."

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