York City fans chief Raymond Wynn is urging members of the Minstermen's 700-club to come out in force.

The City Supporters' Club stages its 80th annual general meeting tomorrow, giving members a chance to grill football club representatives including chairman Douglas Craig and manager Terry Dolan.

In recent years the AGM has suffered from poor attendance.

But secretary and treasurer Wynn is hopeful, after a successful season which saw membership more than triple, that the get-together will prove a different story.

"The AGM is a very important meeting for the supporters of the club and in view of the fact we have now got 730 members we would like to keep the momentum going," he said.

"We offer a warm invitation to supporters to attend and put their questions to the board.

"I understand people may not be able to attend for one reason or another.

"But it would be nice to have to get a few extra chairs out for people this time around."

The supporters' club's recruitment drive last season was spawned by the City directors' offer to let a fans' representative attend board meetings once 1,500 fans had signed up.

Although the club failed to reach that magic number Wynn insists the 1,500-membership mark remained the target for next season.

"We are still pursuing it, we are not letting go and the recruitment drive will start as soon as the friendlies start," he insisted.

The AGM will be staged in the Bootham Lounge at Bootham Crescent, starting at 7.30pm.

Meanwhile, the bookies are giving City little chance of lifting the Third Division championship next season.

Terry Dolan's Minstermen, who were relegation threatened for much of the last campaign, are priced at 33-1 outsiders for the title by William Hill.

City's opponents on the opening day, Conference kings Rushden & Diamonds, have been installed as fourth favourites at 9-1 to make it a second successive title, while big spending neighbours Hull City are third favourites for the title at 7-1.

The tip for the top are Bristol Rovers, who are being backed at 9-2 to make a swift return to Division Two as champions.

Favourites for the drop are Carlisle - 80-1 for the title - while Torquay United, who only safeguarded their Football League status on the final day of last season, are also not expected to be challenging at the right end of the table having been priced at 66-1.

Updated: 12:34 Tuesday, June 26, 2001