Fears over community stadium plan - UPDATED

York City FC chairman Jason McGill has used today's programme notes for the match against Southend United to issue a rallying cry for supporters desperate to see the stadium built.

He has warned that Labour's loss of overall control of the city council, caused by with the recent defection of Clifton councillor Helen Douglas, could have "significant and serious consequences" for the stadium scheme, which is to give a new home to City and the York City Knights Rugby League Club. He said there were crucial votes looming on the future of the project and the club's financial future was at stake.

He said: "For York City supporters and all who care about the club, the reality of further delays or collapse is even more stark."

He said: "A vote against the £4 million by the other political parties will cause the whole stadium and leisure project, with the obvious sporting and community benefits, to be in doubt. This would cause at best delays to the project or at worst even put the project at risk. Both results would have huge cost, viability and legal implications to current council community leisure facilities, and, of course, the new Community Stadium."

With the club's Stadium Improvement Fund loan agreement set to end in October, delays in the new stadium project could mean they have to sell Bootham Crescent to pay off the £2 million debt, leaving the club homeless and facing a difficult future, he warned.

Mr McGill has urged fans to make their voices heard at council meetings next Friday, when a "call in" by Liberal Democrat councillors will be discussed; and at the important full council meeting on Thursday, October 9, when councillors will be asked to approve the extra £4 million needed to fund the new swimming pool to replace Waterworld.

Cllr Ian Cuthbertson, one of the three Liberal Democrat councillors behind the call in, said he and his colleagues support the stadium project, but want to see a proper procedures being followed for what what is a significant investment of public money.

He said: "We are concerned that the Labour cabinet seems to want to progress this without a business case and without a clear understanding of what the additional facilities are."

But Labour's Cllr Sonja Crisp - who has cabinet responsibility for the stadium project, echoed the warnings on political wrangles over the project: She added: “We are concerned that the Liberal Democrats are using the community stadium and leisure complex as a political football and their attempt to scupper the investment required could wreck the project, leaving our professional sports clubs without a home and Waterworld closed without any replacement pool.

“We would urge all parties to recognise the benefits of the community stadium and leisure complex and put party politics to one side for the good of the our professional sports teams and of our communities”.

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Mr McGill's message from Saturday's match programme

Good afternoon and welcome to Bootham Crescent to all attending today's Sky Bet Football League 2 fixture, York City F C v Southend United F C.  I would like to extend a warm welcome to the directors, management, officials, players and supporters of Southend Utd who have made the long trip North.  I hope you enjoy the game and have a safe journey home.

The team has made a steady start to the season and whilst only winning once in the league so far we are a difficult side to beat. We need a spark and a little bit of football magic to convert the draws into wins, we are nearly there and if the right player becomes available, that will add value and meaningful contribution to the team, the board will support Nigel in further additions to the squad.  Your positive home support is vital to the players to inspire and encourage them in performances and results. The away support continues to be magnificent, the numbers and noise you bring to games make the directors, management and players proud to be associated with the club.  Keep it going!

No doubt you will have read locally that the Labour-led City of York Council has lost the majority vote with the defection of Cllr Helen Douglas from Labour to Conservative.  This could have significant and serious consequences for the new Community Stadium and community leisure facilities for the City of York.  The Labour cabinet has voted in favour of committing a further £4 million to the overall project specifically to replace Waterworld with brand new 21st century, exciting and efficient swimming pool and health and well-being facilities.  A vote against the £4 million by the other political parties will cause the whole stadium and leisure project, with the obvious sporting and community benefits, to be in doubt.  This would cause at best delays to the project or at worst even put the project at risk. Both results would have huge cost, viability and legal implications to current council community leisure facilities, and, of course, the new Community Stadium. 

For York City supporters and all who care about the club, the reality of further delays or collapse is even more stark.  The current loan agreement with the Football Stadia Improvement Fund ends in October, they have indicated that any postponements to the delivery of the stadium would leave them no alternative but to call in their £2 million loan, force the sale of Bootham Crescent to repay the loan and leave YCFC homeless.

Remember we are in this situation due to the actions of previous Chairmen and Directors who forced us to buy back our own stadium.  The current YCFC board has formulated a business plan based on occupation of the new Community Stadium in July 2016.  Our initial involvement and financial model, developed in 2006, took us to 2011, but the parent company has continued to support the club beyond the anticipated 5 year plan.  Any postponement or failure to deliver the stadium past 2016 will cause the board to consider its position and future involvement. 

There are 3 political events that will or could have bearing on the success of the stadium and leisure project.  The first is a Stadium Scrutiny Meeting to be held on Friday 26th September, the second is a Full Council Meeting to vote on the £4 million to be held on Thursday 9th October and thirdly the Westfield Ward by election scheduled for 16th October. 

I would urge all York City supporters to attend this first meeting at the new council West Offices at 17.00 on Friday 26th September to show support for the community stadium and council leisure facilities project currently proposed. Three Lib Dem councillors, Cllr Ayre, Cllr Orrell and Cllr Cuthbertson have initiated a community stadium scrutiny call in. We are sure, that once they have received more information and answers to their questions, they will be fully supportive of the project and its immediate progression. We need a show of force to say enough is enough, as further delays or cancellation of the project will jeopardise the future of current run down City of York leisure facilities which need long overdue investment and the future of York City Football Club.

The full council meeting on the 9th October will again require a huge YCFC supporter turnout in the public gallery, as it is at this meeting that the full council will be present to vote on the further £4 million project contribution.  We will then see face to face those councillors who want to protect and secure sport, leisure, health, well-being and the community in the city and those who do not. Obviously, in the Westfield Ward by election,  I would urge all York City supporters to vote for a candidate who represents a party that has been consistently in support of the new community stadium.

Those of you who have seen the current scheme and design will, I am sure, have been impressed and it is significant to note that for ever £1 of public money provided for the project, the City receives £5 of external investment, not to mention the creation of more employment opportunities, no-one loses. 

Please contact our supporter liaison officer, Dave Stanford (dave.stanford@yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk) and indicate your attendance at the Stadium Scrutiny Call In Meeting on Friday 26th September at 17.00 at the new council West Offices  I hope your numbers are sufficient for the council to allocate suitably sized accommodation.  Your club needs you.

Thank you for your support in advance. I wanted to set out the full facts of the situation, so all our supporters fully understand the potential consequences affecting the football club.