York offered lifeline

Dolan can now concentrate on Saturday's game

York City were offered a lifeline on the brink of Thursday's deadline to keep the club from going out of business.

Administrators are considering a bid which will safeguard the Third Division club's financial future.

A second party also expressed an interest in buying City but could not table their offer in time.

David Willis of York's administrators hopes a deal to save the Minstermen can be reached quickly.

"Over the course of the next 48 hours, we will assess the offer and speak to the other interested party involved," he said.

"If an acceptable offer can be negotiated a sale may take place between two and four weeks."

York players have not been paid since December

In a separate development, supporters are understood to have raised £50,000 - enough to keep the club afloat for another two weeks.

York chairman John Batchelor said the club's future was now looking brighter.

"I understand a potential investor has come forward with an offer of a substantial cash injection into the club," he said.

"This money will also enable us to buy our own ground which is very good news."

Buying back Bootham Crescent from its current owner Douglas Craig was blamed for the lack of interest from investors.

Craig, a former club chairman, is believed to want more than £4m for the prime site close to the city centre.

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"Many people expressed an interest in York City but very few came forward with genuine offers," revealed Batchelor.

"But football is a difficult business to invest in."

City's players will also breathe a sign of relief and can look forward to receiving some wages.

The Professional Footballers Association has been supporting the players, who agreed to play for nothing, since the club went into administration last month.

Batchelor admitted he had not spoken to his squad yet but he did have a positive message for the fans.

"We'd like a full stadium against Swansea on Saturday and please keep the faith," he said.

York central defender Chris Brass was remaining cautious about the new offer.

"Since the club went into administration we've really been waiting for this day," said Brass.

"Our minds haven't been 100% on football. Now we've been given another two or three weeks, it's possibly a similar scenario.

"We were hoping today that we would know one way or the other just how the land would lie, but unfortunately we don't. We still have two or three weeks of uncertainty."