The cry from the York City Supporters' Trust is a valid one - people should take the threat of extinction very seriously.

Unfortunately many clubs have cried wolf for too long and genuine cases like York are suffering because of it.

Many people think that York won't disappear because football teams never do, there is always someone to bail them out.

That may have been true before the ITV Digital debacle but people who are prepared to put large sums of money into lower league clubs are virtually non-existent. There just isn't the sponsorship available and running costs are spiralling out of control.

Anyone who is thinking of taking over the club must make sure they have got the finances required to not only get the club to the end of the season but through the close season too.

I know just how much time effort and money fans put into clubs especially in the lower leagues.

The last thing football needs is more chairman with big mouths and small pockets.

I sincerely hope the genuine supporters have a club to support after January 18.

Richard R O'Neill,

Bury,

Manchester.

Updated: 17:40 Tuesday, January 14, 2003