THE race to save York City Football Club from extinction is rapidly gathering momentum.

Organisers of Monday's crunch public meeting have now drawn up a proposed agenda, secured a list of speakers and issued another rallying call to supporters of the club to turn out in force.

The public meeting kicks-off at 7.30pm in the Tempest Anderson Hall, Museum Gardens.

City fan Paul Rawnsley, an accountant who has specialist knowledge of football finances and works in the football industry, will chair the meeting, which is expected to last around 90 minutes.

Urging fans to be positive at this first gathering of supporters, Rawnsley said: "It is the aim of fans and local business to ensure the survival and future prosperity of York City Football Club.

"Everyone needs to work together. We must focus on working positively towards the future and not dwell on the past."

At the meeting, it will be decided whether a Supporters' Trust should be formed and, it is hoped, a Save City Committee will be established.

Nominations for the committee are still being sought ahead of the meeting to speed up the process.

The committee will aim to be representative of City fans, embracing a range of skills including business, financial, marketing and public relations, legal and football.

Anyone who feels they can help can contact the Evening Press by writing to Sports Editor Martin Jarred, at the Sports Desk, Evening Press, Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN, fax 01904 628239 or e-mail martin.jarred@ycp.co.uk

The nomination should include a brief resume and will require a seconder. It should arrive no later than noon on Monday.

The nominations will be collected by members of York City Supporters' Club and presented to the meeting. Several people have already put their names forward.

It will still be possible for people to be nominated at the meeting.

The main speakers on the night will be Rawnsley, Robert Havercroft of the YCSC, Steve Beck, from the London and the South branch of the YCSC, Dave Boyle, Supporters' Direct caseworker, Brian Lomax, Supporters' Direct director, Ian Yeowart, chairman of Chesterfield FC, and Rod Hills, leader of City of York Council, who have made the hall available.

The Tempest Anderson Hall holds 300 and access to the meeting will be on a first come first served basis.

However, if supporters turn up and are unable to fit into the venue they will be asked to leave their details and notes of the meeting will be circulated in due course.

The Evening Press will also carry full reports on Tuesday.

For those wanting to find out more about the work of Supporters' Direct ahead of the Monday's meeting, the organisations' website address is: www.supporters-direct.org.

Updated: 10:51 Saturday, January 05, 2002