"THE board of York City Football Club has been consistent throughout and we have clearly stated our desire for Clayton Donaldson to remain a York City player to give the club the best possible chance of promotion to the Football League.

"On this basis, we have rejected various offers of up to £200,000 for the player to move in the transfer window.

"Under FA rules, it was our assumption that we would receive compensation at a tribunal at the end of the season for the time and efforts spent by the manager and the club to develop this player should he decide to leave York City.

"It is interesting to note Clayton Donaldson's agent has introduced his player to a Scottish club, on the awareness that the club, under FIFA rules, would not be entitled to a reasonable assessment of the player's worth at an independent tribunal.

"Before Clayton Donaldson joined York City it is fair to state he was a player who had enjoyed little success. It is only the work of Billy McEwan and York City Football Club that has made Clayton Donaldson the player he is today.

"It is devastating to think York City will receive absolutely nothing when he joins Hibernian at the end of the season.

"Although we have been offered £50,000 from Hibernian for Clayton to leave immediately, our position remains the same. Clayton Donaldson will stay at York City until the end of the season.

"We only hope the intervention of this transfer arrangement has not unsettled our player and that Clayton will still perform to the best of his ability.

"As ever, the board has tried to act honourably and in the best interests of York City Football Club and our supporters."


- Jason McGill, Managing Director, York City Football Club