THE struggle to save York sport is not over yet. After two exhausting battles for survival, York City hope to thrive under the stewardship of the Supporters' Trust.

Another impressive campaign forged York Knights from the wreckage of the Wasps.

Both clubs are busy making exciting plans for their future, sharing Huntington Stadium. But local athletes fear they could be left out in the cold.

York City's new owners intends to rip up the track as part of the redevelopment of the stadium.

They believe this is necessary to obtain vital funding from the Football Foundation. And, they argue, placing the fans behind the track would diminish the match day atmosphere, possibly reducing the size of the crowds.

Yet this is the only public, all-weather track in North Yorkshire. Nestl Rowntree Athletics Club helped to pay for it when it was constructed 14 years ago. More than 350 people, many of them children, train there regularly.

It would be wrong for York athletics to be sacrificed on the altar of our professional sporting clubs' prosperity.

The only solution to suit all parties would be to build new athletics facilities elsewhere. But that will not be easy. Land is at a premium in York. The cost of a new track has already been estimated at £1 million. Add in a stand and the bill soon mounts.

However, as the revival of both City and the Knights has proved, it is possible to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds if the will is there.

Already the athletics club has gathered 200 names in a petition to save the track. York City have declared their desire to "see the athletics club prosper", and the council is examining the alternatives.

These positive developments must be built upon. We urge all parties to get together soon and often to thrash out a fair resolution to this latest sports crisis.

Updated: 10:31 Friday, April 11, 2003