ORGANISERS of a crunch public meeting to discuss the future of York City believe every supporter has a part to play in safeguarding the club.

As reported in the Evening Press, the race to save the Minstermen is gathering speed ahead of tonight's fans' gathering at the Tempest Anderson Hall, Museum Gardens, York, starting at 7.30pm.

The meeting provides supporters with their first chance to come together and voice their concerns and ideas for the future of the club since the shock announcement it was up for sale.

A full report will feature on this site after tonight's meeting.

The gathering will also gauge the support for the idea of a Supporters' Trust, and it is hoped a Save City Committee will be established to examine the possibility more closely.

Nominations for the committee can be made at the meeting with City fan Paul Rawnsley, who will chair the event, spelling out the need for inclusiveness.

He said: "It is hoped that the Save City Committee will be broadly representative of all City fans and will embrace a range of skills including business, financial, marketing and public relations, legal and football. "It will be modelled on the success of working parties operated at several other clubs, who have now created Supporters' Trusts, up and down the country, and will not be restricted to a small clique of people.

"The Save City Committee needs to produce a credible basis on which the club can survive and prosper. It requires the support of all City fans and local businesses. "There is a huge amount of work to be done in a short time and everyone has the opportunity to contribute, whether they work directly on the committee or simply provide assistance to its operation."

He added: "A Supporters' Trust will provide the fans the opportunity to own, in whole or in part, York City Football Club. Even if another individual or business was to acquire the club, there is still a vitally important role for the Trust to work in conjunction with such a party.

"For the fans to do nothing is not an option."

Webmasters behind a York City internet site - Minstermen.net - have set up a 'Save YCFC' fighting-fund and urged fans to contribute.

Every penny donated will go towards helping set up a Supporters' Trust.

To make a payment, fans can visit any branch of the National Westminster Bank or The Royal Bank of Scotland, quoting the account number and the account name.

Postal donations can also be sent to any branch of the National Westminster Bank or The Royal Bank of Scotland.

The account number is: 53-50-21 36653950

The account name: Minstermen.net SAVE YCFC

Updated: 09:04 Monday, January 07, 2002