THE Supporters' Trust today said it was considering launching its own take-over bid of York City as the club teeters on the brink of closure.

As revealed in the Evening Press last week, the fans' body has been involved with a consortium of local businessmen who have been working to try to save the club ahead of the deadline date of January 18.

However, that consortium - backed by City of York Council - today dramatically withdrew its bid.

Before that bombshell the Trust said in a statement issued today to members that it had notified administrators currently running the club it may submit its own bid.

However, with any bidder needing to provide a significant amount of cash to ease City's cash problems while also resolving the crucial issue of where the Minstermen may play next season, the Trust has admitted 'there is no easy solution'.

Speaking before today's shock news Paul Rawnsley, of the Trust, said the possibility of the fans' body going it alone had to be considered. He added no stone could be left unturned to try to find a solution.

"We have a duty to our membership to look at all the options to try and ensure the club's survival," said Rawnsley.

Spelling out the seriousness of the current situation, the Trust called on fans to turn out in force for this Saturday's home clash with Swansea City, which could be the Minstermen's final fixture.

"There are no guarantees that the club will be saved within the next few weeks," said the Trust statement.

"The ground situation and the current stance taken by Bootham Crescent Holdings may force the end of York City Football Club.

"The Supporters' Trust encourages supporters to attend this Saturday's match to help demonstrate again that the community will not allow the football club to simply disappear without a fight."

The Trust maintained a professional football club could be viable, but admitted it would take a gesture from the directors of BCH, who own the ground and already have a conditional agreement to sell it to developers, in terms of the club's future at Bootham Crescent to see the club survive the current crisis.

"This added complexity means that it is not simply a case of someone stepping in with a massive cash injection to save the club," said the Trust.

"Whilst there remains hope that a solution can be negotiated, more people increasingly fear the worst.

"York City FC could lose its Football League status before the end of the season and the club could disappear altogether."

One proposed survival option is a move to Huntington Stadium.

However, the Trust maintain City should "continue to play at Bootham Crescent unless a better stadium in the city is in place".

The statement added: "The stadium at Bootham Crescent meets the standards required of the Football League and is in an excellent position for such an important local facility.

"It is near the city centre, has good access by public transport and brings positive benefits to local businesses.

"If the club was forced to move to another stadium that was too far away or not suitable for a football club, it will be detrimental to the viability of the club and damaging to the level of support."

Updated: 14:11 Tuesday, January 14, 2003