FANS of York City Football Club could see their place on any new club board secured under a motion set to be debated by York's highest council chamber.

The motion, tabled to tomorrow's full City of York Council meeting by Liberal Democrat group leader Steve Galloway, asks the council's Executive to make council resources available "including the use of Huntington stadium," to anyone who successfully bids for the club.

But he said the help would come at "a price," in that seats on the board would have to be secured for the York City Supporters' Trust.

There would also have to be places for staff from City of York Council's finance department.

Coun Galloway said today: "I refer mainly to council expertise in the leisure department, the planning department and transport department, to help whoever emerges as the successful bidder for the club.

"We want someone to represent the interests of council tax payers, but also to help ensure that any future York City Football Club is a genuine community based organisation with community involvement.

"We want no more shocks."

A spokesman for York City Supporters' Trust said: "We are encouraged that the council is making this move. With less than a week to go until the deadline set by the administrators there is still much work to be done, and there is no magic wand to wave.

"However we are still hopeful that a solution can be found and the club can be saved, so anything that helps us towards that goal is to be welcomed."

At the time of going to press, City fans were still anxiously waiting to hear the result of crunch talks, being held today about the club's future.

Only five days remain before the January 18 deadline set by administrators for any sale of the club to be secured.

If that deadline is not met the club could face being wound up.

The full City of York Council meeting will be held at the Guildhall tomorrow, from 6.30pm.

Updated: 11:31 Monday, January 13, 2003