Stadium delay for Minstermen

Plans for the £37million 8,000-seater York Community Stadium were approved by City of York Council in March and work was scheduled to start last month.

But contracts have not yet been finalised for building work to begin and the club now faces a mid-season move to their new home.

A club statement read: "York City would like to reassure its supporters over the short and long-term future of the Football Club following (Monday's) announcement by the City of York Council that the York Community Stadium will not be ready for occupation until into the 2016/17 season.

"The Club wish to clearly state that this news will have very little impact on the ongoing operation of York City and will not affect the £2million loan from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, the Football Club's relationship with the Football League and any agreement with Persimmon, with the Club having worked hard to ensure that these three key parties remain unaffected by this recently confirmed delay. "

The statement added: " We remain positive that the City of York Council will deliver the Community Stadium project given the prior assurances from all parties regarding their firm commitment to the development of a stadium for York.

"The Club will be holding future meetings with the new leaders of the City of York Council in order to ensure that York City Football Club does its upmost to assist all stakeholders in avoiding any further slippage."

A spokesperson for City of York Council, said: " We are working hard to finalise all contractual matters, which must be concluded prior to work beginning on site. Once these matters are finalised the development phase can commence and work can begin on the stadium itself.

"In light of the significant progress being made, the stadium will be completed during the 2016/17 football season.

"This remains a 62-week programme, and we continue to be in discussions with York City Football Club who remain a key partner in working collaboratively through these issues to minimise any impact to the club and its fans.

"It is essential that we get these details correct, as this is about a stadium/leisure facility that will serve the city for the next century.

"An update report will be taken to an Executive meeting in August."

The new stadium, sited in Huntington, will include a leisure centre and cinema and facilities for York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and York St John University.

Bootham Crescent, the club's home since 1932, will be sold to housing developers.