STOCKPORT County's managing director Kevan Taylor has confirmed that the County Supporters Trust is the 'front runner' as their bid to take over at Edgeley Park continues to gather momentum.

However, the Express has learned this week that the colourful former York City chairman John Batchelor may well be waiting in the wings with a potential bid should the Supporters Trust's business plan not satisfy Cheshire Sport owner Brian Kennedy.

County and Sale Sharks owner Kennedy revealed three weeks ago that he would consider suitable offers for the football club, and yesterday afternoon [Tues] the latest in a series of meetings took place between Cheshire Sport chiefs and a Supporters Trust negotiating team.

Although not prepared to comment on speculation linking Batchelor with a potential future bid, Taylor did confirm that other parties apart from the Trust were interested in the football club.

Taylor said: 'Cheshire Sport are continuing discussions with the Supporters Trust regarding the long-term viability of a potential takeover bid.

'However, there are three other parties expressing an interest.

'Due to confidentiality agreements I cannot reveal who those interested parties are, but I will say that the Supporters Trust is definitely the front runner at this moment.

'Brian Kennedy just wants to make sure that whoever might take over, they are in a fit and proper position to do so.'

Supporters Trust chairman Norman Beverley, meanwhile, confirmed that discussions were continuing positively, and that following yesterday's meeting with Cheshire Sport, another meeting had been arranged for today [Wed] with the Deputy Leader of Stockport Council, Brian Millard.

John Batchelor was once described in The Independent as 'a former toilet paper salesman turned motor sport impresario'. His business strategy was based on combining York City's fortunes with those of the British Touring Car Championship motor racing team.

In December 2001, the directors of Bootham Crescent Holdings plc (BCH) announced the ailing York City Association Football and Athletic Club plc was for sale and a month later slapped a '4.5 million price tag on the Bootham Crescent site.

In March 2002, John Batchelor acquired the club from BCH for '1, at which point he said: 'I am tempted to say I am over the moon, but I am absolutely delighted and very excited. It is a fulfilment of another ambition.'

However, the honeymoon period was soon over and Batchelor found himself in the firing line over his alleged handling of club affairs with accusations flying on an internet fans' forum over his actions and motives.

'I've been accused of fraud, theft and all sorts and have been spending an hour a day refuting these claims, but I've got sod all to hide,' he said.

In November 2002 the saga over the future ownership of York City Football Club took another twist when Batchelor announced he was willing to transfer his 100 per cent share-holding in the club over to the Supporters' Trust.

'The club is going through some difficult times at the moment,' he said.

In February 2003 Batchelor confirmed he did not expect to remain as chairman of York City beyond the end of the season, and he didn't.

Just last month York City fans were hoping Batchelor would appear at a Harrogate Minstermen meeting.

The supporters' group had pencilled him in as the special guest for the February meeting, but it was later announced that current players David Stockdale and Jon Maloney were to attend.

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