Batchelor receives death threats

Batchelor has received nine death threats

York City chairman John Batchelor has been the victim of death threats from angry fans who blame him for the club's precarious financial situation.

The Minstermen chief told the Sunday People newspaper that he had received nine death threats in the past couple of weeks.

Batchelor took over the club eight months ago, just 17 days before the collapse of the ITV Digital television deal which has plunged many lower league clubs into financial problems.

Batchelor said that since then it had been costing him around £200,000-a-month to keep the club afloat, but despite that he has been the target of a hate campaign from some fans.

"They've even put my home phone number and address on the internet to encourage people to give me abuse," Batchelor told the People.

"It's not what I need. I want to save York City and I'm putting all my effort into that. The threats I've been getting just don't help."