York City have turned down a verbal approach from Grimsby Town for leading scorer Richard Brodie.

The Minstermen received it during a phone call from Mariners chairman John Fenty, whose club are in severe danger of dropping into the Blue Square Premier following a sequence of seventeen games without a win.

“We were verbally approached by Grimsby Town for Richard Brodie," communications director Sophie Hicks told The Press. "Nothing was received in writing. Their chairman contacted our chairman, Jason McGill, but their offer was nowhere near our valuation.

“Let’s just say some people’s idea of significant is very different to others. We would like to reiterate that we would like Richard Brodie to stay at York City and be part of the team’s efforts to gain promotion this season.

“Richard Brodie is very happy at York City. He is enjoying his football and is currently enjoying being England’s leading goalscorer.”

Grimsby are in need of a striker after releasing former York front-man Barry Conlon on loan to Chesterfield, and have already had a six-figure offer rejected for Accrington Stanley's Michael Symes.