Save York City!

We need you to ensure football is played in the city for many years to come. Yesterday, we told how York City has been put up for sale and that the club's board is to step down at the end of the season.

Making the shock announcement at the annual meeting of Bootham Crescent Holdings plc - the company which owns the ground - club chairman Douglas Craig told shareholders: "By the end of February 2002, York City Football Club will be at the limit of its current overdraft facility at the bank. At the end of the season, the board of York City Football Club intend to resign.

"They invite anyone interested in acquiring the football club to write...to obtain further details."

With the club's future hanging in the balance, we, as York City's sponsors, will do all we can to save the club from extinction.

Today, we can reveal that Gordon Gibb, the co-owner of Flamingo Land, has shown interest in taking the club on, as has another local businessman, Adam Sinclair. But more needs to be done to secure City's survival.

We are calling on all loyal supporters, individuals and businesses to help find a way.

Write to us if you are interested in forming a supporters' trust to buy the club. Let us know what you think should be done to save City.

Launching our campaign, Evening Press Editor Liz Page said: "The Evening Press is firmly committed to the future of football in York.

"As the club's current sponsors, we are delighted to launch this campaign. We would urge everyone to join in and save City for the city."

Our campaign has been backed by the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Irene Waudby. She said: "This campaign is an example of one important city institution supporting another.

"York City is an important part of the city's cultural life. We value having professional sport in York and York City has an important cultural and commercial role to play in city life."

Club mascot Yorkie the Lion also added his support. "Everyone needs to come together and show their support," he roared.

"This campaign can make a great impact. I can't put into words how it would feel if City were to fold."

Adam Sinclair, whose father, Michael, was chairman of the club between 1978 and 1991, said: "I very much hope that the ownership of the club remains with York people, and that football continues to be played at Bootham Crescent."

Asked if he would be interested in buying the club, he said: "I would be supportive of a properly-constituted bid to purchase the football club and all the football-related premises for a fair price."

- Anyone who has a view on how to save York City should contact the Evening Press on 01904 567136 or 567131.

Updated: 09:21 Saturday, December 22, 2001