YORK City's supporters will be able to celebrate the club's long-term stay at Bootham Crescent by marching to next Saturday's home game against Mansfield Town together.

All Minstermen fans are urged to meet in Bootham Row at 2pm where the celebratory procession to the club's home ground for the last 72 years will begin.

Police have given permission for the march to take place although refused to let it begin from York Minster because of the University's student rag week.

March organiser Richard Willis said: "The Minster would have been the spiritual start but it's not possible on police advice and we are still looking for thousands of fans to join us on our march from Bootham Row."

Brief speeches are expected to be delivered before the supporters begin their walk with chairman Steve Beck likely to be in attendance.

Invitations have also been sent to other clubs to join in their celebrations with fans from Oldham Athletic and Notts County particularly welcome after their efforts to support City and the fight to stay at Bootham Crescent.

Whatever the result at Hull City this afternoon, there will also be cause for celebration at the Bootham Crescent Social Club tonight.

Supporters' Trust board member Kirsten Gillies is rushing back from the Tigers' impressive KC Stadium to open the bar and fans will be able to raise a glass to toast this week's news from 6.30pm in the very room in which the historic news was first revealed on Wednesday morning.

Updated: 10:23 Saturday, February 07, 2004