A YORK City supporters' betting syndicate has called on local businesses to follow their example and donate £500 to the club.

The response to manager Billy McEwan's Evening Press appeal has been excellent but, so far, limited to supporters of the club.

McEwan's original intention had been for York-based companies to help raise the money rather than the usual suspects.

The syndicate is a group of City fans who pay £2 a week with all profits going to the club. It was formed at the start of the season and has raised a small profit.

Andrew Leathley, the syndicate co-ordinator, said: "We hope that this gesture will help encourage other organisations, groups and businesses to back Billy McEwan's bid to save the reserves. It is vital for the club to continue nurturing young players through the reserves.

"It has proved invaluable over the years and has seen players such as Marco Gabbiadini, Richard Cresswell and Jonathan Greening move on to better things with the club profiting handsomely from incoming transfer fees.

"To abandon it at this stage would be detrimental to City's chances of making progress."

Updated: 10:50 Tuesday, March 22, 2005