SUPPORTERS' pressure group the Friends of Bootham Crescent today described the City of York Council's phased development plans for Huntington Stadium as "an insult and a joke".

It also warned the council's blueprint, which would see the football club moving to Huntington Stadium and the running track retained indefinitely, could lead to the demise of York City.

The Friends (FoBC) are now threatening to withdraw their reluctant support for City's proposed move to Huntington and restart their campaign to keep the Minstermen at Bootham Crescent.

FoBC spokesperson Ian Savage said: "Back in March, it was agreed that the plan for Huntington Stadium would include the re-location of the athletic track to a proper alternative site, thus enabling the club to use the available funding to build a 7,000 capacity stadium which would just about reach a minimum satisfactory standard.

"However, the Council have now gone back on their word, and are now proposing something entirely different. "It's now being suggested that the stadium would hold just 5,000 spectators, accommodated in temporary stands with an athletics track staying in place to distance them from the pitch.

"There wouldn't even be sufficient room for a club shop or any other revenue generating facilities - it's an insult and a joke."

Savage said the council must now refuse Persimmon's planning application to build on Bootham Crescent, the club's current home.

"Unless the Council honours the original pledge to fund the re-location of the running track, then Huntington

Stadium does not represent a suitable alternative leisure facility to Bootham Crescent, and the planning committee must act accordingly.

"A record number of people have already written in to oppose the planning application - the committee must now respect those opinions and refuse to allow Bootham Crescent to be demolished.

"Bootham Crescent Holdings (the ground's owners) and Persimmon would still have the option of evicting the club of course, but would have nothing to gain by doing so."

Savage called on BCH, Persimmon, the council and the club to come to a compromise.

"FOBC believes that such an agreement can be reached, and is willing to act as an honest broker in any negotiations - this is a genuine offer." he said.

Updated: 09:50 Thursday, July 10, 2003