FANS' favourite John Askey is the bookies' favourite to make a sensational return to the York City hotseat following the swift departure this week of David Webb.
Askey was unceremoniously sacked by under- fire chairman Glen Henderson back in December, causing uproar among supporters at the LNER Stadium.
Webb stepped into the breach but failed to bring a halt to the club's slide down the National League table, mustering just one win from 10 matches in charge.
Askey was spotted in the crowd watching York's 2-0 defeat to Oldham Athletic recently and is now being backed for a permanent return to the Minstermen with supporters calling for Henderson to sell his majority share of the club.
Askey, 58, is a favoured option for supporters after guiding York to promotion through the National League North play-offs.
In a poll run by York Press this week, 79% of fans voted for Askey to return, while bookies BetVictor have listed the former Macclesfield, Shrewsbury Town and Port Vale boss as a 2/1 favourite for the job.
Michael Morton led the team for yesterday's FA Trophy trip to Southend United, while former Birmingham, Derby and Hull City player Craig Fagan is also said to be in the running.