John Batchelor (racing)

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John Batchelor (Born January 4th, 1959) was a chairman of York City F.C. for a brief period during the 2000s, during this time he was also the owner of York City Racing, competing first with Honda Integras, ex-Barwell Motorsport Honda Accords, and later Peugeot 307's in the British Touring Car Championship 'Production' catagory. The racing team was sponsored by B&Q, York City Football Club, Jet Radio and Varta Batteries over their racing period.

1 Racing Career
- 1.1 2000
- 1.2 2001
- 1.3 2002
- 1.4 2003
2 Name change
3 Period with York City
4 References

[edit] Racing Career

[edit] 2000

'Ford Credit' Fiesta Championship.

[edit] 2001

BTCC Production class. Team B&Q / Talksport Radio Honda Integra Type-R.

No. 55. Final Position: 22nd Wins: 0 Pole Positions: 0

[edit] 2002

Team manager and driver, York City Racing, BTCC Production class. Honda Accord. Teammate: Jim Edwards Jnr.

An accident at Oulton Park ruled him out for the season

[edit] 2003

Team manager, Team Varta, BTCC Production Class. Drivers: Tom Boardman (Peugeot 307), Richard Marsh (Honda Accord).

[edit] Name change

During John's early career, to attact sponsors, he changed his name via Deed Poll. This lead John to be known at race tracks as 'John Top Gear' (after BBC Top Gear magazine) and 'John B&Q' (after the hardware store).

[edit] Period with York City

Batchelor took over York City from their previous chairman Douglas Craig, his time at the club would prove to be equally as controversial as his predecessor . The club had gone into administration at the time. And Batchelor bought the club, minus all fixed assets, for a fee rumoured to be £50.

Batchelor-era York City badge.

He changed the club's name from York City Football Club, to York City Soccer Club, in an attempt to appeal to United States markets.^[1] Also Batchelor's racing brand was incorporated into other parts of the club, the official badge had a chequered flag brought into it, as did the first team kit, which had a racing style print on one sleeve.

The Supporters' Trust supported Batchelor's takeover plans on the understanding that he would;

Not only buy the club, but Bootham Crescent as well.
Give the trust 24 percent of the club's shares.
Invite two supporters onto the adminastrative board.^[2]

However, after taking over the club it turned out that Batchelor had not purchased the club's ground. And the large sponsorship money deals didn't come through. It was even alleged that he had received some death threats in regards to the poor way he was handling the club, so soon after taking them over.^[3] Batchelor soon abandoned City and after a fight for survival it was taken over by the Supporters Trust.