York City chairman Steve Beck has issued a rallying cry to all Minstermen supporters ahead of Sunday's crucial relegation battle with Macclesfield Town at Bootham Crescent.

The match has been rightly billed as one of the biggest in the club's history by concerned fans on unofficial web-sites and Beck has joined the Supporters' Trust in a plea for the people of York to help the club overcome another hurdle.

Second-bottom Macclesfield moved to within three points of City with a 0-0 home draw against Lincoln City on Tuesday night.

That results mean the Moss Rose team, who will include ex-City players Jon Parkin and Graham Potter among their ranks this weekend, will climb above Chris Brass' men with a victory on Sunday, leaving the home side in the dreaded relegation zone to the Nationwide Conference with just seven games to play.

Beck said: "Together, we've battled and overcome so many challenges over the past two-and-a-half years. Now we've got a further challenge to add to that list - the battle to avoid relegation.

"Everyone involved with York City needs to work hard and fight to avoid the drop. And, for all the fans out there, it means YOUR York City team needs your support."

Beck's comments will be distributed today to all Supporters' Trust members as part of a newsletter, compiled by the owners of the community football club.

The newsletter also carries this statement from the Trust: "This time last year the rescue package to Save City had just been completed. In 2003, York City had not only faced losing its Football League status and its historic home but was on the brink of extinction altogether.

"However, as history now shows, the fans raised an amazing £500,000 to enable the club to live to fight another day. In 2004, once again, YOUR club needs to take strength from the collective spirit and passion of the supporters.

"Ahead of this season, with the odds stacked against the club in so many ways, it was always expected to be a financial struggle, whilst at the same time the battle for survival at Bootham Crescent was also being fought behind the scenes. And, on the pitch, survival in Division Three was the primary aim.

"After punching above our weight for the first half of the campaign clearly the results on the pitch over the past couple of months have been a great disappointment to everyone - to the players, management, the staff, the board and the fans. Now, over the remaining few weeks of the season, YOUR York City needs your encouragement and support.

"Whether at Bootham Crescent or on away territory, the Red Army can help make the difference for the club to gain the vital points for survival. Sing up and be loud, for We Are York."

The friends and family of supporters are also being encouraged to attend Sunday's match and the club's four other remaining home fixtures.

Main stand admission is £16 for adults and £10 for concessions, while prices for the family stand are £12.50 (adults) and £6.50 (concessions).

The Trust added that the need for the York public to continue its financial support of the club remains as vital as ever, saying: "The financial legacy of what was inherited on the Trust's takeover continues to be a burden to the new club and the ground situation brings additional costs and commitments.

"More financial support is required. Please consider making a financial contribution today or join other City fans in setting up a regular bank standing order to help support City."

Updated: 10:54 Thursday, April 01, 2004