QUICK-on-the-draw fans are being urged to don their thinking caps and help design a new club badge for the new York City Football Club.

The news that the supporter-owned club is planning to do away with the chequered-flag badge introduced by former chairman John Batchelor will delight many supporters.

Few had taken warmly to the shield, unveiled last summer to much fanfare by Batchelor as part of his plan to re-brand the club and market it in America.

As well as giving supporters the opportunity to submit their own badge designs, the club's new board is also looking to establish a 'marketing taskforce'.

Director Mike Brown is appealing for assistance from supporters with professional experience in direct marketing, advertising, design and print.

Brown is hoping to recruit five or six Trust members and other City fans with the necessary specialist skills to form the marketing think-tank.

It is intended the group will hold regular meetings at Bootham Crescent, mostly in the evenings and on match days.

Over the coming months, the task-force will conduct the research and development in a wide range of areas including branding and corporate identity, merchandising and web promotions.

A public consultation over the future of the club's new badge and subsequent branding is to be the first major initiative.

Working in partnership with the Creation Network, York's creative umbrella organisation, it is intended the task-force will co-ordinate a series of public surveys via the Evening Press and Internet.

In contrast to Batchelor's expensive re-branding of the club, the project will be completed on a voluntary basis and at no cost to the club.

Brown said: "One of the most debated issues surrounding the Trust's take-over has been the design of the club's badge.

"Through consultation with both supporters and a panel of specialists, we hope to forge ahead with an image that everyone can be proud of. Supporters will have the final say in a public vote."

Any fan with the necessary skills and experience who would like to join the City marketing task-force, should e-mail taskforce@ycst.org.uk or call Brown on 01904 610747 before next Monday.

Anyone wishing to participate in the search for City's new badge should send their entries to BadgeSearch, York City Football Club, Bootham Crescent, York. YO30 7AQ or by email to badgesearch@ycst.org.uk The deadline for ideas is Monday, April 14.

Updated: 12:02 Wednesday, April 02, 2003