THE York City Supporters' Trust was today left with just one remaining major hurdle to overcome in its quest for a supporter-owned football club.

Having reached their £200,000 fund-raising target over the weekend, today's meeting of creditors at Bootham Crescent was all that was barring the Trust from taking control of the club.

A majority above 75 per cent of the value of the creditors either attending the meeting or voting by proxy was needed for the Trust's Company Voluntary Arrangement proposal to be accepted.

Anything less however and the Trust's bid would more than likely be scuppered and the club would face being liquidated.

Ahead of the meeting, the Trust's offer was given a massive boost with the news the City players, in effect the biggest creditors of the club, had agreed to vote in favour of their plans which would see them taking a 20 per cent deferment on wages.

Outgoing chairman John Batchelor, who is also a creditor too, told the Evening Press he would be using his vote to back the Trust's take-over proposal at the make or break meeting.

The Evening Press, another unsecured creditor, was also voting in favour of the Trust, who even if today's CVA proposal is endorsed will still need a stamp of approval from the Football League.

The announcement that the Trust had reached their £200,000 fund-raising target was announced on Saturday, during the half-time interval of City's Division Three clash with Bournemouth.

John Mingay, who helped co-ordinate the cash drive, told fans: "Once again, you have risen to the challenge.

"Subject to the meeting of creditors (today), the dream will become a reality; York City Football Club owned by its fans."

He added: "This is just the beginning. We might have bought the club but we now have to run it and the next few months will be very demanding and further cash will be needed."

He said 500 supporters' had given cash under the Trust's loan note scheme, which he said would remain open to raise further funds for the fans' group.

"Just think what we can achieve if 3,000 fans apply," he said.

"Thank you for your support but (today) we start a whole new journey together."

Batchelor, who is owed around £25,000, was not intending to be at today's meeting but had voted for the Trust's proposal by proxy.

The motor-racing boss said he would be "highly delighted" if the Trust were to take control of the club.

"I know they have worked very, very hard to get to this position," he said.

In the documents sent out to creditors earlier this month, a "director's loan" for £24,055 is listed.

Batchelor confirmed he is owed around £25,000 but by voting for the Trust's proposal would be waiving the debt.

Batchelor has previously confirmed he had loaned £100,000 of a £400,000 sponsorship deal signed with Persimmon for his motor-racing team to the club at the start of the season.

He has also stated some £70,000 was subsequently withdrawn to pay for motor-racing activities, including hospitality and tickets and other race-team expenditure.

Updated: 11:09 Monday, March 17, 2003