YORK City fans will be handed a gilt-edged opportunity in 48 hours to show a united front and prove the football club is worth saving.

The Minstermen go head to head with derby rivals Hull City at Bootham Crescent on Boxing Day in what is always an eagerly anticipated fixture.

However, in the wake of the City board's decision to put the club up for sale the match has taken on even greater significance.

Only last week, fans were preparing a protest to vent their frustration at the club's decline.

Now supporters are being urged to turn out in force and raise the club's morale at the start of what promises to be a defining period for the Minstermen.

The game, an all-ticket affair, is already poised to be the best attended this season.

Hull have already sold their allocation of 3,700 tickets while City fans, including season-ticket holders, have so-far snapped up around 2,500 tickets.

The last time City attracted a 3000-plus gate for a home match came when they lost 2-1 to Luton back in September.

With the club's future hanging in the balance, The Evening Press, the club's sponsors, have already issued a rallying call to the people of York to Save City!

A full-house on Boxing Day would go along way to proving the club is still held in high regard by city folk and would also give the cash-strapped Minstermen a timely financial boost.

Crucially then it could send out an important signal to would-be investors or buyers.

Today, Christmas Eve, marked the last day for fans to buy tickets for the game.

No tickets can be sold on the day of the match, whether the ground is at capacity or not.

Tickets for most areas of the ground were on sale until 4pm today and could be bought in person at the ticket office at Bootham Crescent or by telephoning 01904 624447 extension 1.

The match looks certain to go ahead after last night's rainfall washed away the weekend's snow which had covered the Bootham Crescent pitch.

However, the City squad has been hit by the news combative midfielder Richard Cooper will miss the Boxing Day clash.

Cooper was due to sit out Saturday's game against Rochdale at Spotland due to suspension after picking up five bookings in the season.

However, with the trip across the Pennines falling foul of the weather Cooper was unable to serve his ban, so must now miss arguably City's biggest home game of the campaign.

Those who missed today's deadline for Boxing Day tickets will have another chance to show their support for the club by attending Saturday's home encounter with Shrewsbury Town.

On the morning of that match there will be a meeting, organised by City's sponsors, the Evening Press, of supporters' representatives to discuss the options open to fans in the fight to save the club. More details of that meeting appear on Page One. A date for a public meeting for all City followers to attend will be announced shortly.

Updated: 10:53 Monday, December 24, 2001