YORK Central MP Hugh Bayley has issued his support for building a new community sports stadium at Monks Cross.

Bayley met with York City chairman Jason McGill yesterday to cast his eye over the plans, which also include a retail unit, a new Explore library and restaurants.

The plans are expected to be submitted within weeks and it is estimated that the development will create as many as 750 new jobs.

Bayley said: “York’s football and rugby league clubs promote our city every time they play and they bring fans from other places to York whenever they play at home. This is an important part of the visitor economy.

“York needs a community stadium. There is too much uncertainty about it and it was good to meet Jason to hear York City Football Club’s plans.

“Both York City and York City Knights have players, fans, backroom staff and volunteers who are passionate about their clubs and they deserve and need the best facilities to showcase their teams.”

Bayley also discussed the ongoing problems facing the Minstermen concerning the funding of the club’s youth programme having previously lobbied government, the Football League, Sport England, the Football Foundation and the FA on the matter.

He added: “Clubs in the Football League receive £180,000 a year through Sport England and non-professional clubs receive help through the Football Foundation but clubs in the Blue Square Bet Premier are classed as professional but not League clubs so they are left out. I have raised this issue in Westminster and asked Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA’s director of football development, to meet me to discuss what the FA can do to support clubs like York City.”

McGill welcomed Bayley’s backing for both subjects and said: “We appreciate the support our local MP is giving the club in terms of funding our youth team. We also very much welcome his support for the new community stadium. He clearly recognises the advantages a new facility will have for sport in York and the benefits the stadium project will have for the wider community.”