York City have expressed their dismay at the lack of support from Conservative councillors for a new community stadium.

The seven Tories on the City of York Council voted en bloc against approving a further £198,000 in funding for the project.

With the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green Party representatives all voting in favour, however, the motion was passed by a majority of 33 for and seven against. But City’s communications director Sophie Hicks has been left bewildered by the Conservatives’ stance.

She said: “We are very pleased with the positive support shown by the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green Party councillors towards the community stadium project after they voted in favour of the funding required to help progress the project to the procurement stage. We thank them all for their support.

“However, we are dismayed that all seven Conservative councillors voted against (the motion). If they were hesitant or unsure about the funding in any way, they had the option to abstain but to vote against the progression of the community stadium project is disappointing and bewildering.

“It is particularly disappointing as local Conservative MP for Outer York, Julian Sturdy, had already declared his support for a community stadium in the run up to the General Election in May. Despite the negative position of the Conservatives, we have received overwhelming support from the rest of the council and will be ploughing forward to the next stage and moving a step closer to achieving a community stadium for York.”

Sturdy was unavailable for comment last night.

Coun Ian Gillies, the Conservative leader and a former City season-ticket holder, previously told The Press: “I want many things for this city but, in the present financial climate, have a responsibility to prioritise resources therefore cannot guarantee any public funding at this stage.”

Meanwhile, City have welcomed a £6 million injection into Conference football by the Premier League. The deal will see £1.2 million per season distributed between all 68 Conference clubs over the next three years.

And, while it is not yet clear whether Blue Square Bet Premier clubs will receive a greater share of the donation than Blue Square North and South outfits, even if the money is shared equally, it would amount to a £17,600 boost per season at Bootham Crescent.

The gesture follows last season’s £1 million contribution from the Premier League and, as part of the package, a separate club development fund will also benefit from an annual provision of £800,000 over the next three years.

Clubs will be invited to apply for grants from that kitty to assist with specific projects, which could mean welcome support for the Minstermen’s underfunded youth section.

City chairman Jason McGill said: “This is a fantastic gesture and we are grateful to Richard Scudamore and his team for recognising the financial difficulties that clubs face in non-League football.

“He is also chairman of the trustees of the Football Foundation and has been very supportive to York City over the years regarding our stadium situation. This is very positive news.”

Outlining the reasons for the intervention, Scudamore added: “We are extremely pleased to be working with the Conference to establish a new club development fund that will allow Conference clubs, all extremely important within their local communities, to invest more funds into local youth development and good cause initiatives.”

Said Conference chairman Brian Lee: “The solidarity commitment for three years is most welcome while the new funding will allow our clubs to express themselves in a tangible form for the benefit of their communities.”