York ask Mills to stay and lead fight for promotion
MANAGER Gary Mills has been asked to lead York City’s attempts to bounce back from relegation to National League North.
The Minstermen, demoted for the second consecutive year, want the former European Cup winner to remain at Bootham Crescent on reduced terms.
York, who will remain full-time next season, want an answer from Mills by tomorrow after making the offer in the immediate aftermath of their fate being sealed by Guiseley captain Danny Lowe netting a last -minute equaliser to keep the Leeds club up.
Chairman Jason McGill, in a club statement, said: “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 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 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 FA Trophy final). 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.”
McGill also confirmed that Jackie McNamara, Mills’s predecessor, remains as chief executive.
He added: “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.”