YORK City London and South Supporters Club chairman Alastair Smith has pointed out that saving the reserves will help to attract new players as well as develop the club's existing young talent.

The southern branch of City's Supporters Club have donated £1,000 towards the £10,000 target manager Billy McEwan has set to keep the reserve team next season.

A total of £5,000 has already been reached with April 21 the deadline for City to reverse their decision to withdraw from the Pontins League.

Smith, who is based in Brighton and hopes nearby Lewes can be successful in this season's Conference South, believes the reserves is an essential platform for players to prove their worth on trials.

He said: "If the club is going to move forward we must have a reserve team. It is vital for the development of young players but it's also important in giving people trials.

"If we are playing against local teams and friendlies we won't be able to assess anybody properly."

Nearly 30 members of the London and South Supporters Club have contributed towards their latest donation to the club.

Last season a print of Bootham Crescent raised £2,000.

Smith is a founder member of the club and has been chairman for the past ten years.

He lived in Millington and was chairman of the Pocklington branch of the Supporters Club before migrating to the south coast.

Updated: 11:20 Wednesday, March 23, 2005