FORMER Lincoln City chairman John Reames was held up as a shining light at Monday's fans' meeting.

Today, his actions must remain a beacon of hope to all football fans whose love, loyalty and commitment for their clubs can never be bought, sold or exchanged but seemingly rest on the whim of a small group of individuals.

The Imps and Chesterfield are the only two Football League clubs completely owned by trusts following fan take-overs last year.

Speaking on Monday, Brian Lomax of Supporters' Direct revealed how Reames had passed on the ownership of the Sincil Bank club for no profit.

He explained Reames was the majority shareholder at Lincoln until last year having been a director for 20 years and chairman for 15.

"He realised he had taken the club as far as he could and so he made an offer," said Lomax.

"He owned £400,000 worth of shares with a trade value at £1 each.

"He offered them for £400,000 but didn't want the money for himself, he wanted it to go back into the football club."

Within three months the Supporters' Trust at Lincoln had raised the cash through help from fans, business and the Co-operative Bank.

"It takes somebody with a big heart to realise that the football club is greater than them and more important than their pocket," said Lomax.

"Having had the privilege to run and own a football club for a number of years, to pass that on at no profit is to be somebody who really cares and that is what John Reames did at Lincoln City."

Lomax's words were poignant on Monday.

Following Wednesday's stunning turn of events, they were echoing loudly.

Sadly, they had clearly not reached the ears of the directors of Bootham Crescent Holdings.

By their actions of this week, they have shown they cannot hold a match to an enlightened Reames.

THE London and the South Branch of the York City Supporters' Club held their first meeting of the year on Thursday. It was also their first since the news the club was up for sale and Bootham Crescent could be no more.

Emphasising the fact the depth of feeling for the Minstermen extends way beyond the city walls, the meeting enjoyed a record attendance of 40, including eight new members.

A collection was taken on the night, which raised a marvellous £367 for a Save City Fund.

Furthermore, branch president and ITV commentator Jon Champion and BBC pundit Garth Crooks, the former Tottenham striker, have both asked to be kept informed of all the latest developments and pledged their support.

Meanwhile, it is estimated around 250 of the 300 in attendance at Monday's meeting in York signed forms distributed throughout the auditorium, registering their support in writing.

Many also detailed relevant skills that could be used at a later date, even though they were not seeking appointment to the Save City Committee.

EVIDENCE, if it were needed, of the seriousness of City's cash problems has come with the news the club has had to scrap the team's get-together for a pre-match meal.

Manager Terry Dolan introduced the idea on his arrival at the club almost two years ago, with the aim of ensuring the players - many of whom lived many miles from York - were together well in advance of kick-off and focusing minds on the matter in hand.

However, given the club's current financial plight, the pre-match meals, both home and away, have now been scrapped in a cost cutting measure.

In any case, with most of the City players now living in the York area it was felt the need for the players to report for duty early was no longer necessary.

DOES Grimsby Town's obsession with fish know no bounds?

The team-sheet made available to the hacks in the press box at last Saturday's third round clash at Blundell Park seemed to underline the fact.

City skipper Chris Brass was listed as Chris BASS. So C Bass on the Mariners' menu, then. Mmmm, very fishy!

LEE Bullock remains a serious contender in the Evening Press player of the year rankings.

The young midfielder's man of the match display against Grimsby Town gave Bullock three points and keeps him hot on the heels of Michael Proctor, Lee Nogan and Alan Fettis.

Central defenders Mike Basham (2) and Gary Hobson (1) picked up the remaining points available at Blundell Park.

Latest standings: Proctor 28pts, Nogan 28, Fettis 26, Bullock 24, Edmondson 16, Brass 13, Fielding 12, Smith 7, Hocking 6, Basham 5, Hobson 4, Howarth 3, Cooper 3, Potter 2, Fox 1, Richardson 1.

Updated: 13:21 Saturday, January 12, 2002