A YORK council meeting descended into uproar after scores of angry football fans accused councillors of failing to do enough to save York City.

As many as 100 City supporters barracked the leaders of the three political parties after they ruled out the prospect of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to buy Bootham Crescent.

At last night's full council meeting, the Lord Mayor of York, Coun David Horton, was forced repeatedly to ask for quiet as frustrated fans angrily shouted at the city's council representatives.

"Action not words", "We're on our own now" and "There's an election in May" were among the outbursts from a packed public gallery.

The three leaders all insisted that work would continue to try to find a solution to save the club.

But that was not enough for many supporters, who showed their disgust following the council debate.

Earlier, they had protested outside the Guildhall and Mansion House to highlight the club's plight.

At the meeting, Liberal Democrat leader Coun Steve Galloway outlined why the council felt that buying Bootham Crescent by CPO was not an option.

He said: "A CPO takes many months to complete. The main reason is to try to gain property or land where the owner is unwilling to sell.

"The fundamental problem with this equation is that the owner is more than willing to sell."

Conservative leader Coun John Galvin said: "We will continue to support any creditable bid. But I haven't got a magic wand. There is nothing much more to offer."

Labour leader Coun Dave Merrett said: "Everybody wishes to see the continuation of the football club. We have worked very hard. We are prepared to continue to do that."

A motion was passed committing the council to work to ensure the long-term future of City.

But Frank Ormston, of the Friends of Bootham Crescent, said: "I was very disappointed that the council was so dismissive of any practical help."

Meanwhile, a fresh chink of light emerged in the fight to save City from extinction.

Administrators running City said the consortium of local businesses who yesterday withdrew from the race to salvage the Minstermen were not among the front runners of interested parties.

Two other undisclosed consortiums remain in the chase and were always the bids most likely to succeed, said David Willis, of administrators Jacksons Jolliffe Cork.

Mr Willis said: "The local consortium had always made it clear to us they should always be considered as a last-ditch back-up.

"They had no real desire to buy York City Football Club, but at the same time they did not want to see it fold and if all other attempts to save the club came to nothing they would possibly step in."

Mr Willis admitted one of the big stumbling blocks for the consortium was that its rescue plans involved the club moving to Huntington Stadium.

That would indicate, though it has not been confirmed, the remaining two front-runners do not see a move to Huntington as inevitable or indeed viable.

That would then suggest the two bidders still in the race are looking to buy Bootham Crescent from owners Bootham Crescent Holdings.

Mr Willis confirmed the revised deadline of noon tomorrow for would-be owners to submit their bids still remained.

That would give the administrators time to cast their eyes over the offers before Saturday, when it will finally be decided whether the club can be saved.

Updated: 11:59 Wednesday, January 15, 2003