WHILE it is hoped a big money backer could rescue York City, the best avenue open to the beleaguered club could be to turn to the fans.

As the shock of the announcement that City was up for sale still echoed, the club's Supporters Club have moved quickly to look at ways of saving the team they love.

A special committee meeting by the YCSC will be held on Thursday to discuss the options available - with the formation of a Supporters' Trust to take over the running of the club sure to be top of the agenda.

Trusts are the new vogue in football and Supporters Direct - the organisation which devised the initiative - has helped to set up 38 of the 42 in operation at various levels across the country.

YCSC executive member Stan Collins confirmed: "We have been in contact with people about the Trust, as well as various others.

"We are looking at getting someone from Supporters Direct to come and speak to us about it, but I have yet to hear back from them."

The Evening Press did manage to contact research officer and caseworker Dave Boyle at Supporters Direct.

Boyle said he had 'received a number of e-mails from York fans - including Collins - concerning the club's plight and would be willing to come to York to discuss the template for forming a Trust.

He said: "From what I can gather of York City's situation, it is one that is not an unfamiliar tale for lower league clubs.

"The television money has peaked so the only sustainable way forward is for clubs to get in with the supporters and this is what we suggest.

"We are more than happy to come up and discuss our model - something which we have helped 38 clubs take up - at a public meeting.

"We would just explain what a Supporters' Trust is and what has happened at other clubs."

While the Trust offers one of the key solutions available, Collins added the YCSC have had tentative talks with two businessmen after news of the sale of the club.

Although the talks are still in their infancy, Collins said both - as yet unnamed - were willing to plough money in.

However, Collins has warned that, despite the tight time-scale issued by chairman Douglas Craig - all interested parties have to contact him with a written application by noon on January 17 - they cannot be rushed.

"We've got to be careful," he added. "We don't want to finish up with a 'sugar daddy' figure who is just interested in making money."

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Updated: 10:52 Saturday, December 22, 2001