York City chairman Jason McGill admits blame for club's relegation

York City chairman Jason McGill has spoken out for the first time since Saturday's draw with Forest Green Rovers that condemned the club to relegation. 

In a statement released on the club website he said that he was "solely to blame for making the decisions at the Club, that have led us to the position and status we are now faced with". He admitted the appointment of Jackie McNamara as manager, who many fans have lambasted for poor recruitment and results at the start of the season, was a mistake but expects McNamara to stay on as Chief Executive. 

McGill also confirmed that he offered Gary Mills the chance to stay on as manager on Saturday evening, and with Mills' suggesting in his post-match press conference that he'd like to continue if possible, it looks like the former Nottingham Forest player will be in the dugout at the start of next season. A statement confirming Mills decision is going to be released on Wednesday. 

York are set to remain a full-time professional club, the City chairman added, with their budget expected to be in the top three in the National League North. Often clubs relegated from the National League have had to cut back to part-time given the impact on revenue of the lower league. 

Full statement by Jason McGill, York City chairman

I am sorry to the supporters of York City Football Club for taking time to issue a statement following the devastating events on Saturday. I have consistently maintained that I am solely to blame for making the decisions at the Club, that have led us to the position and status we are now faced with. Decisions were made with the best of intentions, but they ultimately failed to deliver the on-pitch results we all desired.

The appointment of Jackie McNamara as manager, in hindsight, did not work and, as a consequence, has been a major cause for the current situation. Jackie has, however, made some important behind-the-scenes changes, since becoming CEO at the Club and more importantly, feels responsible and wants to help put things right. It would have been easy for him to walk away and not take the abuse, but he wants to assist with implementing changes to the non-playing side of the business. I must focus on running the parent company, because without J M Packaging there would be no financial support for York City Football Club.

Trust is very important for me and I trust Jackie McNamara to represent my interests in the day-to-day running of the Football Club.

I'm hurting as much as anyone having given 14 years of my life, in time and financial assistance, to a Club that was 30 minutes from oblivion in 2003. I can understand the frustrations of the supporters which led to the emotion and abuse, by a number of individuals, after the game on Saturday. I needed to gather my thoughts and not publish a knee-jerk response so soon after the game and following the immediate aftermath.

There are many things to consider following the ignominy of relegation and a further statement will be issued in due course, but one of the first things to resolve is the managerial situation at the Club going forward. It is imperative that the Club has stability and a recruitment plan in place for next season at the earliest opportunity.

The Football Club had, at its discretion, following relegation, the option to part company with Gary Mills without financial implication to either party. I decided, however, to make an offer to Gary, immediately after the game on Saturday, of further engagement as YCFC manager for season 2017/2018. The offer is commensurate with the status of a Club playing in the National League North and has certain criteria and goals that must be achieved at key points during the season. Following discussions with other National League North clubs, the proposed YCFC playing budget for next season would have been in the top three, based on this season's figures. For the avoidance of doubt, the Club will remain full-time next season.

I have given Gary until Wednesday this week to make his decision, as I believe the Club cannot have managerial uncertainty, by leaving a decision until after Wembley. The manager needs to begin recruitment for next season immediately and we do not need to be playing catch-up with other teams in the league. It is great to see York City Football Club playing at Wembley in the FA Trophy Final, but it is more important to begin our campaign for promotion next season now.

Following Gary's decision, a further statement will be made regarding other issues facing the future of the Club.

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