York City is an institution and a key part of York's heritage which must not be lost.

So says John Shannon, who for decades chaired the city's influential Civic Trust and will shortly be made a Freeman of the City in recognition of his contribution to civic life.

Mr Shannon, 81, revealed he is a keen York fan, who first supported the club before it even started playing at Bootham Crescent. "I remember seeing them play at Fulfordgate as a boy."

He said he witnessed some of their greatest moments, including their progress to the FA Cup semi-finals in the 1950s. And although he was no longer able to attend games, he still followed their progress keenly, listening in every Saturday afternoon to radio reports of their matches.

Mr Shannon said he was "appalled" at the possibility of York City's extinction.

"It's an institution in York," he said. "It has become part of York's heritage.

"Of course, you cannot pretend it compares to some of the great buildings - the Minster and the Bar Walls - but it's a facet of the sporting life of the city, and it would be a tremendous loss."

Mr Shannon welcomed the support mustered for City in recent days but said that an individual or group of individuals, with access to significant finance, needed to come forward for the club to be saved.

"I have a gut feeling they will. Someone will come along with the money." He said he remembered going to Bootham Crescent with an attendance of 28,000.

Asked whether York City was attracting sufficient crowds today to give it a viable future, he said the fans would only come along in large numbers if the club had good players and was winning.

The manager and chairman had an important role in determining this.

Updated: 15:24 Monday, January 21, 2002