CHESHIRE entrepreneur John Batchelor is itching to get back into football... and in an exclusive interview with the Stockport Express this week, he has challenged County fans to put him to the test, although he concedes there is still a lot of bad feeling towards him.

That was certainly clear on Saturday, when the man held responsible by many for the downfall of York City, sat alone for a pre-match meal at Edgeley Park.

Since our revelations last week that he was waiting in the wings to make a bid, and his subsequent appearance at the Colchester game on Saturday, many of the club's more vocal fans have been showering him with abusive messages, urging him to steer clear of County.

But love him or hate him, John Batchelor is not a man to be silenced.

Speaking to me this week, the Wilmslow-based businessman insisted he had done 'nothing wrong' during his short and unsuccessful spell as York City chairman, and admitted that two years after leaving Bootham Crescent, he wants to get back into football.

He confirmed his interest in County but refused to divulge whether he had tabled an official takeover bid.

What he is determined to do, though, is let Hatters fans know his conscience is clear.

The former motor racing driver insists he wants to put the record straight, and explained: 'I know Stockport County is a local club for me, and I do have a vague assocation as I have shared the same solicitor during discussions regarding opportunities in China.

'I'd love to get involved in football again, and again it's made me think what I could do, whether it's with or without County.'

Allegations of financial mis-management while at York continue to hang over Batchelor's head, but he argues: 'I took the club over in early 2002 after the board said they'd shut it down.

'It was just the club I bought (for '1), not the ground initially, and after looking at the state of the finances I could see that we had significant players who could have generated enough money to bring in transfer fees.

'Weeks later though, ITV Digital collapsed, costing us '130,000, but that also robbed other clubs of purchasing power and between '600,000 and '900,000 worth of players could no longer be sold.

'I didn't have a crystal ball, and in the end the club just couldn't fill that hole.

'It's a shame because York City was never out of the top seven (in the old Third Division) while I was there, and average attendances were increasing. I just tried to improve things against all the odds.

'But I know Stockport fans would take a lot of persuading now.

'Having said that I am fed up with all the inaccurate allegations against me. I did nothing wrong and I am prepared to speak to anyone at County or their fans.

'I would welcome discussions with the fans, I just want to make it clear that I am what I say I am.'

Those words don't convince York City's supporter-elected director Sophie McGill, however.

She told the Express: 'John Batchelor is just an opportunist. He saw York City Football Club as a commercial venture only.'

And she went on to claim: 'He held no regard for the supporters and knew nothing about the sensible running of a football club.

'In a nine-month period he accumulated massive debts, so I am concerned at the news that he has been linked with Stockport County.

'He led York City down the road towards administration, and it was left to the Supporters Trust to pick up the pieces.'

Meanwhile, Cheshire Sport owner Brian Kennedy has spoken to the Express again this week, and confirmed that the County Supporters Trust is still favourite to take over the reins at the football club. But a takeover isn't imminent, even though the Trust formally made an offer for County at the end of last week.

Kennedy said: 'Discussions are ongoing, but I will say that the Trust will have first crack at it.

'There has been a lot of interest in the club, not just from the Trust and John Batchelor, but I'm keen to reiterate that we just need to see who has the best interests of the club at heart.

'We're months away yet though.'

County Supporters Trust chairman Norman Beverley confirmed that another meeting took place at Brian Kennedy's Wilmslow offices on Monday, and 'fruitful discussions' took place.

Beverley is still feeling 'fairly comfortable' with negotiations, and has told us that there is a deal to be done. However, Trust press spokesman Neil Chapman is the only one to comment on John Batchelor's rumoured interest thus far.

He said at the weekend: 'It's a worry that Mr Batchelor is involved. I don't think he would bring what's needed.'

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