FOR York City fans bidding for a stake in the control of their football club the fight goes on.

The reverberations from the shock announcement that any new owners must stump up £4.5million in order for City to continue playing at Bootham Crescent, their home for seven decades, are still being felt.

But despite yesterday's bombshell announcement, an historic letter has now been sent to the directors of Bootham Crescent Holdings - the owners of the club and the ground - notifying them of the formal interest of supporters' in acquiring the club.

The letter was sent on behalf of the working party formed at Monday's fans meeting, staged in Tempest Anderson Hall, Museum Gardens, where it was decided a Supporters' Trust should be established to try and take control of the club.

The working party will hold its first meeting on Saturday, prior to City's home game at Bootham Crescent, in the Evening Press offices.

Sophie McGill, City's former public relations officer and a member of the Save City Committee, said it was important that the group remained focused on the matter in hand - saving the club from extinction - despite the latest worrying development.

And she maintained the group could not rule out trying to raise the money to buy the ground from BCH.

"It is obviously a mighty task and a massive mountain to climb," said McGill. "But at this point in time, we have to remain positive and believe we can do it.

"If the supporters are to play a part in the future of the club it is important all lines of communication with BCH are kept open."

Updated: 11:59 Thursday, January 10, 2002