THREE cheers for York City, now run entirely on fan power. Supporters have been in charge of the club for a while but as mere tenants of Bootham Crescent, their ambitions were always constrained.

Today they take control of the ground, and with it City's destiny. It is a terrific opportunity, and one that the new directors have worked tirelessly to secure.

What they have achieved is remarkable. Not long ago, York City dangled over the abyss by the thinnest of threads. With a combination of willpower and unending generosity, fans managed to haul the club back from the brink.

In any such scramble for survival, sacrifices are inevitable. The team lost form and Football League status. City's hopes for an immediate return have faded with a series of poor results.

With so much to concern the new City board behind the scenes, it is understandable that they took their eye off the football. Now, however, the long and tricky negotiations over Bootham Crescent are completed.

That means they can concentrate fully on the immediate and essential task at hand: securing City's place in the Conference. The directors have been on an intensive learning curve these past few months and should be able to bring this new experience to bear.

One thing is certain. If the players show the same passion for the club as the fans who saved it, York City will emerge into a brighter future.

Updated: 10:51 Tuesday, January 11, 2005