Garforth Town have announced that there has been a change of ownership at the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division club.

A statement released by the Wheatley Park Stadium side said: "We are pleased to announce that, after negotiations with the previous owner, Garforth Town Football Club Limited has sold the assets to a new company which was formed at the start of the season.

"The club is now owned by Garforth Town AFC Limited under the management team of Brian Close, Jane Close and Craig Bannister.

"A big thank you must go to Rupert Lowe and Mike Thomson, his Financial Controller, for supporting the club financially during the last two years since taking over the running of the club in 2012.

"It should go on record that, even up to a few weeks ago, Rupert was having to cover historical debts.

"Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs were days away from closing the club when chasing unpaid tax and National Insurance which remained unpaid from the previous ownership.

"Some considerable time and energy has been spent as HMRC were unresponsive and uncooperative to Rupert and his team in terms of trying to negotiate a sensible conclusion to previous years liabilities.

"It was always the intention of Rupert Lowe to keep the club as a community asset and I am sure you will agree that he has succeeded in doing this during his time as custodian of the club.

"It is the intention that the new management of Garforth Town AFC Ltd continue to consolidate, allowing a period of time to build a solid platform, allowing the club to grow.

"We already have plans in place for the short, medium and long terms and we have stated previously that new sponsorship opportunities are being pursued as interest in the clubs future unfolds.

"Further news on this front is imminent."