York City Knights have made a goodwill gesture to York City fans ahead of the Knights' first-ever match on Sunday, writes Pete Martini.

The offer is intended to boost the York City Supporters' Trust coffers and in doing so improve bonds between fans of the rugby and football clubs.

The Knights have promised that all season-ticket holders at Bootham Crescent will be offered £3 off admission to Sunday's clash against Hull KR at Huntington Stadium. And for every fan that takes up this offer, £2 will be donated to the York City Supporters' Trust funds.

Knights majority shareholder John Guildford said City had helped York's rugby league fans when the new club was starting out, and this was a way of returning the gesture.

"We want the football club to survive," he said. "And this is basically a good will gesture.

"It would be very nice if the football club and rugby club could work together at a new improved stadium."

The Knights had decided to donate a percentage of gate receipts from their two pre-season friendlies to City's Supporters' Trust, but because those games were called off this new gesture has been put forward.

Anyone wanting to take up the offer should contact the Knights club office (tel 01904 656105) either before or on the match-day. Normal admission for Knights matches is £8 (£5 concessions); with discount on Sunday it will be £5 (£2).

As revealed by the Evening Press in November, Guildford - boss of York firm Guildford Construction - had been working on plans for a new super-stadium to be shared between City and the Knights.

Updated: 11:47 Friday, January 17, 2003