MIDDLESBROUGH main man Steve McClaren is to show his support for the Save City Campaign in person.

The York-born Boro boss has promised not only to attend Friday's launch of the York City Supporters' Trust but also give a speech at the meeting to underline the need to save the Minstermen.

Former City star Jonathan Greening, now with McClaren at Boro, has also given his backing to the YCST's bid to rescue from extinction the club that launched his career.

McClaren, a former Nunthorpe Grammar School pupil and York City Boys star player, said: "I have no hesitation in supporting the Supporters Trust in their efforts to create a future for York City.

"I have fond memories of my childhood years in York and, indeed, my parents still live there. I lived there until I left home to join Hull City as a teenager so the city will always be close to my heart."

As reported in the Evening Press, fans and the business community are being urged to flock to the launch of the Trust, whose aims are to ensure the continuation of professional football in York and secure representation for supporters in the future ownership of the club.

The decision to set up the Trust followed the announcement by City chairman Douglas Craig that the directors were putting the club and its Bootham Crescent ground up for sale at £4.5 million, while saying that if a buyer is not found the club would effectively fold by the end of this season.

McClaren, the former number two to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and assistant to England boss Sven Goran Eriksson, had the pleasure of knocking United out of the FA Cup on Saturday with a 2-0 win at the Riverside.

His side followed that up with a 1-0 win at Sunderland last night to climb out of the relegation zone. And, despite his own battle to beat the drop, he has promised to do his bit for City's desperate fight.

McClaren said: "I fully endorse the efforts of the Supporters Trust as I believe lower division clubs like York City remain the lifeblood of the game," he said.

"I myself played in the lower divisions with Hull, Bristol City and Oxford so I know such clubs play a big part in the game.

"I wish the Trust the very best of luck and would urge all who can to support them in their efforts to give the people of York a professional football club they can be proud of for many years to come."

McClaren's invitation to attend Friday's launch came from Save City Working Party member Kirsten Gillies, who, along with others in the group, has been busy organising the launch.

Gillies said: "We are thrilled Steve McClaren is showing his support for the campaign and taking time out of his busy schedule to attend the Trust's Launch event.

"I decided to approach Steve because of his connections with York and couldn't believe it when I received a telephone call from Middlesbrough yesterday to confirm his attendance.

"This is a fantastic boost for the Trust and will really help to raise the profile of the event and our campaign to save the club we all love."

Further support for the campaign came from ex-City star Greening. "I started my career at York, before joining Manchester United, so it would be a terrible day if the club folded," he said.

"As a former player with special memories of York, I totally endorse all the Supporters Trust are trying to achieve."

The launch is to be held at the Barbican in York on Friday, starting at 7.30pm with doors opening at 7pm.

Updated: 15:41 Wednesday, January 30, 2002