York City fans have bombarded the Evening Press and the club's website with messages of joy about the prospect of remaining at Bootham Crescent.

The Evening Press revealed on Wednesday that the club had struck a deal to make the ground their home for the foreseeable future - ending months of tense negotiations.

In a passionate letter to the Evening Press, David Potter, of Lynden Way, Acomb, said: "Today York City completed the equivalent of winning the Premiership and FA Cup double.

"It is hard to believe that one year ago York City stood on the brink of extinction - nobody wanting to buy them and no ground for them to play on."

Joanna Best, from Huntington, also wrote: "I would like to say a big, big thank you to the people involved with making it possible to keep York City Football Club at Bootham Crescent.

"Both my parents, Pauline and Eddie Pitts, were avid York City supporters and when they passed away they both wished to have their ashes placed at York City's ground.

"When my young daughter goes with her dad to watch City play, I feel she is off to see her Gran and Grandad. I am sure you can all imagine how we felt when what we thought of as sacred ground was going to be dug up and housing built on it."

Here are a selection of the website forum messages:

AL, from Goole: "This is the greatest football club in the world!!!"

Reg Hedge, from Acomb: "Please don't forget the role that this site and the users of it have played in everything that has been achieved over the last two years. That means YOU!"

Chris Wade, from Harrogate: "Great news, very well done to all involved in the negotiations."

Dynamo Kebab, from North Yorkshire: "David's just whipped several Goliaths."

Stillbothered, from York: "What we all need to do now is work even harder, and sing the praises of this great football club even louder, as we not only have something to be really proud off but we also have something very special to build into something great!"

We want to hear your views on York City's momentous week. Please email us, including your name and address, at newsdesk@ycp.co.uk, or write to Newsdesk, Evening Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN.

Updated: 10:53 Friday, February 06, 2004