COUNCIL claims that Huntington Stadium complete with running track remains a viable home for York City have been strengthened by a rule change at the Football League.

York City have previously claimed keeping the facility at Huntington would leave insufficient room to build the stands and terracing needed to meet minimum ground capacity requirements of 6,000.

However, within the last few weeks the Football League has reduced its minimum requirements to just 5,000, of which 2,000 must be seated.

The current capacity at Huntington currently stands at around 3,500 with less than 1,000 undercover seats.

The City of York Council maintain under their solution the League's new minimum capacity can be comfortably met with the construction of three temporary stands, one of which would be used to house away supporters.

Under League regulations clubs must make provision for at least 2,000 visiting supporters or ten per cent of the club's capacity.

Given that under the council's plans Huntington would house no more than 5,000 supporters, the club would only need to provide for 500 visiting fans.

The council's blueprint would involve the extension of the current terraced stand at Huntington with new seating installed to meet the 2,000 seating requirement.

However, the council maintains this is a relatively simple process that could be done in a matter of weeks rather than months.

A spokesman for the Football League confirmed today there was no ruling that insisted grounds must be four sided, as has been previously claimed.

Rules for clubs seeking promotion from the Conference state they will not be accepted as members of the Football League if the pitch at their home venue is located within an athletics track.

However, the League spokesman confirmed no such rule applied to existing League members, citing Brighton who currently play their games at the Withdean Stadium within a running track.

Updated: 12:08 Wednesday, July 09, 2003