York City today announced a number of changes to next season's fixtures as part of efforts to boost income at the club and attract more fans.

However, City have chided some of their Division Three rivals, most notably Rochdale and Hull City, for a lack of support as the club looked to avoid a clash with an England international and also keep police costs in check.

As part of the changes announced today, the traditional August Bank Holiday and Easter Monday matches, which involved afternoon kick-offs, have been switched to Tuesday evenings.

Once again, the club has moved the last fixture before Christmas from a Saturday.

However, in a change to previous seasons, the game will now take place on a Sunday instead of a Friday night.

Last season, City experimented with their first Sunday fixture at Bootham Crescent since 1985.

The switch proved a success, as a crowd of 4,009 watched the Minstermen beat Macclesfield 2-1.

The attendance was almost double that of the previous season's corresponding fixture when a crowd of 2,253 watched City beat the Silkmen 1-0.

As well as playing Kidderminster on Sunday, December 21, City's Division Three clash with Macclesfield will also take place on a Sunday again.

That game will take place on Sunday, April 4.

City finance director Terry Doyle said the decision to change the home games was done after listening to the views of City supporters.

Doyle said: "We have tried to listen to our fans and to play home games when it is most attractive to them. In particular, we have made efforts to move a number of home games to a Sunday, which our fans tell us they like".

City have also agreed to switch two away fixtures in 2004 at the request of the home clubs.

Oxford United are experimenting by moving their Tuesday night fixtures to Wednesdays next season, meaning City will play United on March 3 as opposed to March 2.

City will also play Cambridge United on Friday, April 9, instead of Saturday April 10.

However, while City are grateful to the likes of Bury, Southend, Kidderminster and Macclesfield for agreeing to change their visits to Bootham Crescent, Doyle said he was disappointed by the lack of support from Rochdale, Cambridge and Hull City.

"We have been surprised by the lack of co-operation of fellow clubs," he conceded.

"For example, having agreed to Cambridge's request to move the away game to April 9, we were then disappointed they were unable to accommodate our request to move that game to a Sunday for a family game.

"Most disappointing of all is the refusal of Rochdale to move their game (September 6) to a Sunday.

"City fans will note this clashes with a televised England game and we appreciate many will want to watch both.

"Unfortunately, we could not move this to the Friday night as the York City Knights Rugby LeagueClub are at home and all we can now do is seek, if necessary, an amended kick off time with Rochdale."

Doyle said the club had also tried to change City's clash with Hull City at Bootham Crescent on Boxing Day to Tuesday, December 30, in an effort to keep police costs to a minimum but the Tigers refused.

"Playing the game on Boxing Day will cost City an estimated extra £5,000 in police costs as it is a high profile game on a public holiday," explained Doyle.

"It is our opinion that this is wasted money in view of the great efforts City fans have made to contribute in the past and a move by a few days would have suited all parties. Once again, unfortunately we are in the hands of the opposition."

York City fixture changes

2003

Southend United (H) from Monday, August 25, to Tuesday, August 26, kick-off 7.45pm

Kidderminster (H) from Saturday, December 20, to Sunday, December 21, kick-off 3pm

2004

Oxford (A), from Tuesday, March 2, to Wednesday, March 3, kick-off 7.45pm

Macclesfield (H) from Saturday, April 3, to Sunday, April 4, kick-off 3pm

Cambridge (A), from Saturday, April 10, to Friday, April 9, kick-off 7.45pm

Bury (H), from Monday, April 12, to Tuesday, April 13, kick-off 7.45pm

Updated: 11:15 Wednesday, July 02, 2003