York City would now sign up to the Kick It Out anti-racism charter according to club secretary Keith Usher - if such a document existed.

Speaking at the fans' forum, Usher underlined the club's commitment to the fight against racism by unveiling new initiatives.

He revealed the club had begun negotiations to erect a pitch-side hoarding next season to drum home the club's anti-racism stance.

Usher also revealed the club would look into the possibility of players going into schools to spread the anti-racism message.

City have hit the headlines in recent years for being the only club in the Premiership and the Football League not to have signed up to the Kick-It Out charter.

"It has always been a bone of contention that we haven't actually signed the charter for the Kick It Out, or Kick Racism Out or Show Racism the Red Card - it has had various names," admitted Usher.

"But there is nothing to sign nowadays. It is in fact just formulas which the Sports Foundation asks clubs to take on so they can get grants.

"We are physically doing things but not everyone is aware of just what we do and just what we are trying to achieve."

Usher highlighted announcements in the club's match day programmes that warns anyone engaging in indecent or racist chanting will be ejected from the ground and banned from Bootham Crescent.

A similar message is also broadcast over the ground's tannoy.

"We are making efforts to kick racism out of football," he said.

"We are striving to ensure it is free of racism and with your help and everyone else's help we hope that we can achieve this.

"We want to make it a better place for the future of the club so parents can bring children along."

Updated: 11:27 Friday, April 06, 2001