SUPPORTERS fighting to prevent development on Bootham Crescent have maintained their struggle would continue even if York City were to move to Huntington Stadium next season.

The Evening Press revealed yesterday plans by City of York Council which could eventually lead to the Minstermen playing at an upgraded Huntington Stadium, currently the home of the revived York City Knights Rugby League Club.

The York City Supporters' Trust reiterated its commitment to opposing the demolition of City's Bootham Crescent home for the past 71 years.

However, it hinted that Huntington Stadium might be a viable option if it was 'properly developed'.

Meanwhile, the fans' pressure group the Friends of Bootham Crescent admitted ensuring the club survived was everyone's top priority.

Said the Trust in a statement to the Evening Press: "The Trust remains firmly opposed to the demolition of Bootham Crescent unless a better football stadium is in place.

"Perhaps that could be Huntington Stadium one day, but only if properly redeveloped.

"When BCH stripped Bootham Crescent from the club, it deprived it of the opportunity to be able to reinvest the value to properly redevelop an alternative site.

"The way the directors of recent years have run the club towards the brink of extinction is desperately sad.

"The financial crisis they have created is made even harder to resolve because of the stance taken by BCH to try to force the club out to then build houses.

"The Supporters' Trust continues to work towards a solution, but there are no guarantees that the club can be saved."

Friends of Bootham Crescent spokesman David Allison stressed that ensuring the club survived was everyone's top priority.

He added: "However, that is not to say the fight for Bootham Crescent would be over, indeed far from it."

FoBC is leading a campaign to see Persimmon's planning application to build 93 homes on the football ground blocked.

The building company already have a conditional agreement with ground owners Bootham Crescent Holdings to buy the site provided planning permission is granted.

Allison said: "There are a number of encouraging signs regarding the fight for Bootham Crescent and the Friends of Bootham Crescent will do everything in their power to carry that fight all the way.

"The BCH board have suggested before that the only way forward for the club is to move to Huntington Stadium, as typified by their derisory offer made before Christmas.

"The FoBC feel this is a smoke-screen and shows that BCH are aware that the planning application is not a fait accompli.

"How does the building of 93 houses on Bootham Crescent benefit the football club, when the profits will go into the coffers of BCH and Persimmon? How can BCH or Persimmon claim to be acting in the club's interests?

"The more the injustices of the situation are brought to light, the more untenable BCH and Persimmon's position becomes."

Updated: 12:20 Saturday, January 11, 2003