DAVID Parker writes: "A stadium for any sport should only be lost if the one replacing it can improve the facilities in all aspects and not be downgraded as York City FC seems intent to do at Huntington," (Letters, July 19).

And as City of York Council seems intent to do at Bootham Crescent?

While I cannot speak for all YCFC fans, I am most certainly not anti-athletics. It is the council that is trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.

The athletics clubs don't want to see YCFC at Huntington. Most YCFC fans don't want to see YCFC move to Huntington. Many Huntington residents don't want to see YCFC move to Huntington.

Surely we should all be pulling in the same direction, and not fighting between ourselves? Mr Parker should be telling us what he wants done about this problem, rather than simply pointing fingers.

If he wants people to object to the Huntington redevelopment, then I (and many other City fans) will object. I only ask that the members of his club return the favour and raise objections to the Persimmon Homes plans for Bootham Crescent.

Matthew Flint,

Alma Grove,

Fulford,

York.

...IT has been said the club are behaving in an arrogant manner with regard to other users of the site and that they should be grateful to be allowed to play there for a peppercorn rent.

I would like to point out that a figure of £3 million of investment into the stadium equates to £300,000 for each of the ten years of the proposed lease.

For such a level of investment into the stadium I would have thought the club should have a big say in the development.

I certainly do not wish to see the athletes made homeless but wonder how much they put into the building costs or how much rent they pay.

The council claims it wants the best facilities for the public of York and it strikes me an opportunity for significant investment in the stadium should not be lost.

What should not be forgotten is the sterling work of the supporters trust and York public in raising more than half a million pounds to keep the club afloat.

It would be a disgrace if that were to count for nothing.

Steven Ovenden,

Hull Road,

York.

Updated: 11:34 Thursday, July 24, 2003