A CRUNCH top-level meeting called to determine the future of York City and the running track at Huntington Stadium was being staged today.

Leading City of York Council members and officials were meeting with representatives from the club's board and the Supporters' Trust in an effort to find a solution to the controversial track problem.

A council spokeswoman confirmed talks were taking place but described today's gathering as a 'progress meeting' to establish how the football club's proposed move to Huntington is advancing.

However, it is clear the situation is now at a critical stage with the future of the running track the major issue still to be resolved.

Unless an agreement can be thrashed out very soon the football club's long-term future could once again be thrown into serious doubt.

City are intending to move to a redeveloped Huntington Stadium in time for the start of the 2004/05 campaign.

In order for the building work to be completed in time, the football club has to submit its planning application for the revamp to the council within the next few weeks.

However, the process is on hold because the future of the running track at the Monks Cross arena remains shrouded in uncertainty.

Football club officials maintain the facility has to be relocated so the stadium can be brought up to Football League standards.

The Minstermen also insist they will not be able to claim the necessary grants from the relevant football authorities to fund the £3million redevelopment if the running track stays.

At the same time, athletes who use the facility fear they could be made homeless if the track is ripped up and no suitable alternative is found.

They have launched a petition calling for the track to be kept at Huntington and it is understood athletic club representatives also met with the council earlier this week.

Adding further fuel to the fire are allegations that the City of York Council have back-tracked on a promise to take responsibility for relocating the track to new location.

The council maintains it never offered to relocate the track and insists in all negotiations with City it had made clear the club would be responsible for the facility's future and funding any relocation.

City, now owned by its fans and battling to balance the books at Bootham Crescent, simply do not have the estimated £500,000 it will cost to move the track.

Independent supporters' pressure group the Friends of Bootham Crescent and the Socialist Alliance have accused the council of betrayal and reneging on an agreement to move the facility.

Former City chairman Douglas Craig, who remains chairman of Bootham Crescent Holdings, the owners of the football club's current home Bootham Crescent, has backed the club in the relocation row.

Speaking to the Evening Press, Craig was adamant the council, in a meeting with all the major players earlier this year, had made the relocation pledge.

If the track stays and Huntington is then ruled out as a home for the club, City face the very real prospect of being left with nowhere to play.

The club have struck an agreement with BCH to stay at Bootham Crescent for one more season on the basis that City would be able to move to Huntington by August 2004.

Updated: 11:40 Thursday, June 19, 2003