McClaren for Trust launch

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

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 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."

The launch is to be held at the Barbican in York on Friday, starting at 7.30pm with doors opening at 7pm. For further details of the launch turn to Page 24.

* A full preview of the launch and of what will be happening on the night will be published in tomorrow's Evening Press.

Updated: 11:25 Wednesday, January 30, 2002