FROM the BBC's Match Of The Day' to his current position with ITV's The Premiership' York-born commentator JON CHAMPION has become one of the most respected voices in English football. A life-long fan and follower of York City, Champion gives his support to keeping alive the club he avidly supports.

Saturday will be an emotional day for me, as for so many other City supporters.

After an eternity spent listening to the engaged tone on the club switchboard, I have secured my tickets for the big game.

Seventeen years to the day since that never-to-be-forgotten Keith Houchen penalty against Arsenal, Bootham Crescent will be abuzz - but will it be for the last time?

When initial news of City's plight reached me, I was worried; when the situation with regard to the ground became clear, I felt numb.

So many questions - so few answers, and so little time to seek them.

This was the sort of thing that happened to other, poorly-run clubs, not ours.

Bootham Crescent has always held a special place in my heart. I went to school next door at Shipton Street.

We often had to go cap-in-hand to the groundsman to get our ball back at playtime.

I watched from the terraces as Wilf McGuinness fulfilled his promise to take us out of the old second division.

I cut my broadcasting teeth on those fabulous cup-ties against Liverpool in the mid-eighties.

I witnessed the tragic demise of David Longhurst. And nowadays, because of work commitments, I manage perhaps a couple of games a season - that's the problem of having a Saturday job!

Never in my most horrible nightmares did I foresee the club finding itself in its current predicament.

The virtual collapse of the domestic transfer system hasn't helped, nor have the silly wages paid to a number of players over recent seasons, but if York City are in trouble, half the League is at risk.

The future may be one of regionalised divisions with part-time players.

First things first though - let's make sure we've got a future.

I welcome the formation of a Supporters Trust. That body can be a conscience for whoever becomes the new owner, a reminder that with chairmanship comes responsibility.

Directors should be the club's moral guardians, even in today's hard-headed world.

I am not even contemplating York City going out of business.

Indeed out of adversity may come a stronger, healthier club.

There are many battles to be fought, hopefully there are no more nasty surprises to emerge.

In the meantime, the FA Cup is a wonderful distraction.