AS a football historian I see the York City FC situation from a position of impartiality.

I feel playing in the Conference will give City the chance to change the culture and mindset (among directors, team management, players and supporters) at Bootham Crescent.

In eight of the last ten seasons York have lost more league matches than they have won. Even if it were to take three or four years to get back into the Third Division, City should at least win more often. After all, they will be one of the biggest eight or nine clubs playing in the 22-team Conference.

The 'little York City' persona will no longer apply there.

Attendances are always determined most by results. If York City win a lot more often than they have done during the past ten seasons (188 defeats, average league placing 17th), then crowds will not drop and could even rise.

Colin S. Jeffrey,

East Mount Road,

York

Updated: 10:17 Saturday, May 15, 2004