YORK City's finance director Terry Doyle has spent this week counting the costs of Saturday's 'very expensive rain shower'.

Doyle believes that the postponed home game against Yeovil at the weekend has already drained an estimated £4,000 from the Bootham Crescent coffers and will inevitably lead to reduced gate revenue with the match now due to be re-arranged for Tuesday, April 20.

The City board member has also called on supporters to ensure that the last five home matches are played in front of 4,000-plus crowds, starting with the Minstermen's 'Cup Final' against Macclesfield Town a week on Sunday.

Doyle said: "Unfortunately, we had a very expensive rain shower at 1pm on Saturday.

"The postponement was a major disappointment because it came at a time - March - when cash is very tight and is generally tight at most clubs because of the way the Football League distributes money to its clubs.

"Our last contribution from the League was a small one in February and the next will not be until April. The major problem for us when a game like Yeovil is postponed is that we have to pay travel costs for them to come back.

"We also have to pay stewards because they are contracted to work and there's also the potential cost of programmes. We expected 500 to 600 Yeovil fans and printed programmes accordingly but, judging by the Scunthorpe game which was rearranged for midweek, they won't bring as many for the rearranged match.

"I think losing Saturday's game will have cost us a minimum of £4,000 in direct costs and we could also lose 1,000 on the gate. We have to hope that by the time Yeovil come back they will still be in with a chance of a promotion place to attract their supporters to make the long journey on a week night."

Fortunately, unlike the postponed clashes with near-neighbours Lincoln and Scunthorpe, there were no police costs for Saturday's game but Doyle still emphasised how vital it was for the club's fans to once more demonstrate their support by easing the financial strain by coming through the turnstiles in their droves for the remaining five home fixtures.

He said: "Our next home game against Macclesfield looks like it's going to become a very important game for us and has almost become our 'Cup Final' this season.

"The postponements and the costs involved with our planning application for Huntington Stadium means we would now really appreciate one last rally from the fans to get us over the finishing line this season.

"I would ask fans to pencil in their diaries the date of the Macclesfield game especially but also those for the other four home games. It would be a great boost to our finances and to the team if we could average 4,000 between now and the end of the season."

City must pay £60,000 in abortive costs involved with the planning application made for Huntington Stadium by next month.

Lee Bullock's expected transfer to Cardiff City should raise an immediate sum of £75,000 but that is unlikely to be paid before his loan period ends in May.

Ex-City striker striker Peter Duffield was on target for new club Carlisle United in the Cumbrians' dramatic 3-2 win at Scunthorpe last night. The win elevated the basement's bottom club to within four points of nearest rivals Macclesfield.

Updated: 10:26 Wednesday, March 24, 2004