York City, Town hero Alex Mathie's current club, are currently in a state of turmoil and their fans are taking their concerns to the FA. They want fans of other clubs to back them and their cause.

The statement below from an organisation called York City South explains their plight and the fans' position.

York City FC supporters are taking their concerns to the very top of the English game by calling on the Football Association to investigate a possible breach of its rules by the Directors of their club. In addition, they are urging the FA to demonstrate leadership and commit itself to putting the interests of football clubs, their supporters and communities ahead of financial interest of individual owners and Directors.

A petition will be presented to Adam Crozier at the Football Association HQ in London, on the morning of Saturday 23rd February, prior to the Minstermen's game at Luton Town.

It is hoped the petition, which is to be presented following a peaceful march through the capital, will gain support from thousands of football supporters throughout the UK and beyond.

One of the organisers, Colin Matthews, an exiled fan based in London, says: "We are simply asking the FA - the supposed guardians of the English game - to take their heads out of the sand and at the very least, investigate a potential breach of rules. The actions of the Directors are not in the best interest of the football club".

York City is not just another small club struggling financially. Their bank overdraft is small in comparison to most other lower division clubs.

The 'killer blow' is the proposal by the Directors (who also happen to be the key shareholders) to sell the club's home to the highest bidder for around £5 million, before the end of March 2002. The Bootham Crescent site is prime development land in a city with booming property prices. Unless a rescue deal is secured before the end of March, Chairman Douglas Craig and his fellow Directors have announced that the club must quit its home of the last 70 years and, if it survives, find somewhere else to play next season.

Matthews added: "The key issue is that the money from the sale is not being reinvested in a new ground for York City. Instead, the money will be pocketed by Craig and his fellow Directors. The Directors appear to have side-stepped certain FA rules".

There are fears that owners of other clubs may copy the actions of Craig such that assets are sold off to benefit individual shareholders at the expense of football clubs and their local communities. This could lead to a domino effect, whereby several Football League clubs could disappear in the next few years.

Matthews is urging as many fans as possible to sign-up and attend the occasion, adding, "It coincides with our game at nearby Luton, so we are actively encouraging as many City fans to attend as possible"

The petition will soon be available on-line at http://www.yorkcitysouth.co.uk/ or you can simply add your name by e-mailing fapetition@saveyork.co.uk

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