Where are you?

PICTURE the scene. A young, hungry, passionate and committed team bossed by a young, hungry, passionate and committed manager.

The play-offs are within touching distance as the half-way mark of the season looms.

Goals are a problem but the team at least try to play football with the ball zig-zagging the turf rather than orbiting the skies over Bootham Crescent, where the match-day atmosphere has markedly improved in recent seasons.

Off the pitch, the club is owned and run by its supporters. The club's future is no longer determined by individuals who have to answer to no- one but by fellow fans, whose only interest is in safeguarding the club and whose actions are accountable at the ballot box.

Profit is not the aim, but security, a future and a chance of success as the club positions itself at the heart of the community.

Little more than a year ago, such a vision would have been dismissed as an idealistic utopia and yet for the York City the dream is alive.

In the circumstances, attendances at Bootham Crescent should be booming.

Unfortunately, they are not.

Last Saturday's derby match with Doncaster Rovers, the large gate that saw City take on Barnsley in the FA Cup and some sizeable away support means City's average gate for the season is still above 4,000. That is some 500 more than the club budgeted for at the start of the campaign.

But while the Rovers match may have attracted a season's best crowd of 5,942, significantly almost half that figure was made up of visiting supporters.

As disappointing as the home turnout was, it was perhaps no surprise. Recent matches at Bootham Crescent have seen the number of home fans dip below the 3,000 mark.

There are a number of possible factors, not least the recent decision to up the admission charges by a £1.

With Christmas rapidly approaching, belts have to be tightened and for some City may be a luxury they can no longer afford.

Furthermore, there is no doubt the threat of extinction that cast its shadow over the club had a positive effect on last season's attendances.

Floating supporters, or those disenchanted at the way the previous regimes had run their club, returned on a more regular basis to do their bit to save City.

The club was saved and with the immediate threat of oblivion lifted, no doubt many fans felt they had done their duty and deemed their continued attendance no longer so important. But it is, it really is.

The club's hardcore support of between 2,500 and 3,000 were, of course, instrumental in salvaging their club with their extraordinary fundraising efforts and continued commitment. With such committed backing, it is hard not believe City will always survive.

But it is the 'fair-weather' fans, numbering around the 500 mark, who can make the difference between a club treading water and making purposeful strides forward with their more regular attendance.

Financially, the club has taken significant steps to try to stabilise the finances but an extra 500 on the gate would provide some considerable breathing space.

Cash aside, there are still some who maintain City matters to only a few, that York is not really a footballing city and the club is of only minor importance to the wider community.

The events and efforts of the previous two years prove otherwise, but falling attendances will serve to provide those critics with more ammunition.

Very soon, the powers-that-be will be charged with making some major planning decisions that will determine the club's long-term future.

Booming attendances at Bootham Crescent would send out a strong and defiant message.

The battle to save York City has been won. The battle to give it a future is on-going.

So much has been achieved but there is so much potential for more and it would be a shame if the moment was lost.

What is needed is the continued and growing support of the people of York to ensure their football club is sustained for future generations.

The boy's Dunn very good

DARREN Dunning's lead at the top of the Evening Press player of the year rankings has stretched to double figures.

A two point haul from the 1-0 win over Doncaster Rovers means Dunning, pictured above, is now 11 points clear of his nearest rivals, Lee Bullock and Mark Ovendale.

Central defender Richard Hope claimed the man of the match award and three points to make it a hat-trick of players on ten points for the season.

The one remaining point on offer last Saturday went to Dave Merris, who continues to shine with a series of consistent performances at wing-back.

Rankings: Dunning 25, Bullock 14, Ovendale 14, Nogan 11, Ward 10, Wood 10, Hope 10, Brass 5, Parkin 5, Smith 4, Wise 4, Merris 3, Cooper 2, Fox 1, George 1, Wilford 1

On track for a great night out with the Minstemen

IT would be great to see a full house at next Saturday's Supporters' Trust Christmas dinner and dance.

The event, at York Racecourse, will be staged just hours after City play host to Swansea City at Bootham Crescent.

The City players will be in attendance, hopefully toasting a three-point haul against the Swans. Tickets are priced £27.50 and available from the club shop or by e-mailing Kirsten Gillies at kirsten@ycst.org.uk

YORK City were having to listen to the England rugby union's team pursuit of immortality somewhere on the M1 this morning.

The tight purse strings at Bootham Crescent means overnight stops for the squad have to be kept to a minimum.

That decision ensured the team were travelling down to Leyton Orient for this afternoon's clash this morning.

Satellite television has still to be installed on the City club coach, meaning the players were having to listen to the rugby union World Cup final from Australia courtesy of BBC Radio 5 Live.

Cash conscious City had more reason than blind patriotism for wanting England to emerge triumphant from their clash with the Aussies earlier today.

As reported in the Evening Press, England coach Clive Woodward is a City fan and before heading off to Australia donated a rugby ball signed by his squad, to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Cannily, the fans' body decided against putting the ball up for auction straight away.

They reckon, quite rightly, it would be worth quite a bit more if England actually lift the Webb Ellis Trophy today.

Trust and true

CONFIRMATION, were it needed, as to the magnificent achievements over the last two years has come this week with the publication of 'York City...at the Heart of the Community'.

The booklet covers in fine detail the Trust's achievements since it was formed in January 2002.

Included are more than 30 personal contributions from a mixture of City fans and local and national figures.

It has being compiled ahead of the Trust's December AGM and will be distributed to the organisation's members.

Copies can be collected by Trust members at City's next home match with Swansea on November 29. Those unable to pick up a copy will receive one by post in December.

To help further promote the work and role of the Trust, copies are also being distributed to many local organisations and to various parties within the UK's football community.

Mac back on target

Former York City striker David McNiven is continuing his goal frenzy for Conference outfit Leigh RMI.

McNiven bagged another two goals in midweek as Leigh drew 2-2 with Shrewsbury, bringing his tally to 11 goals in 19 games this season.

Reports suggest former City wing-back Graham Potter, who rejected a chance to stay at Bootham Crescent during the summer, could soon be joining McNiven in the Conference.

Potter, transfer-listed by Boston United last week just three months after joining the Pilgrims, is apparently being tracked by Shrewsbury Town.

City's nifty gifty

Looking for a Christmas present with a difference? City may have the answer.

For £40, supporters are being offered the chance to spend a day at city , watching their heroes being put through their paces on the training ground before having a photograph with the squad.

Guests will then join player-boss Chris Brass in his press conference. The day will also include a behind the scenes tour of Bootham Crescent and lunch with the chairman, plus a signed certificate to mark the occasion. For further details, telephone commercial manager Peter Salter on 0870 7771922.

City shop to it

The club shop at Bootham Crescent will remain open until 8pm on Wednesday December 3 and 10 and on Tuesday, December 16.

Father Christmas has promised to put in an appearance on all three nights.

Updated: 12:06 Saturday, November 22, 2003