FOOTBALL fans marched through London today - taking their protest about the sale of York City direct to the game's headquarters.

About 80 fans met at Hanover Square before marching peacefully to the Football Association's Soho offices.

There they hoped to present a petition to chief executive Adam Crozier, calling on the FA to investigate the proposed sale of the club.

However, as reported in the Evening Press yesterday, the fans' hopes of handing the petition to Mr Crozier were dashed.

Two police officers flanked the doors of the FA building. But Mr Crozier was not present and the protesting supporters had to hand the petition to an FA official.

Organisers of the march and protest had collected more than 5,800 signatures and were delighted with the London turnout.

The majority of those on the march were City fans, who were taking part before heading to Luton for the Minstermen's Third Division clash this afternoon.

March organiser Colin Matthews said: "It has been a tremendous effort to get almost 6,000 signatures."

The petition calls for an investigation into the way the club's current owners were able to sidestep an FA rule which was designed to prevent shareholders making profits on their original investments should a club be wound up.

The petition also calls on the FA to break its silence on the issue.

Mr Matthews said: "The way they (the FA) have dealt with us has been a disgrace. Even when we have telephoned them they have dealt with us in a patronising manner."

A presentation of £2,000 was also made by members of Fulham's Supporters Club to Steve Beck, a member of the York City Supporters' Trust Committee.

Updated: 12:50 Saturday, February 23, 2002