Concerned York City supporters are calling for a fans forum to enable them to air their views.

Raymond Wynn, secretary of the York City FC Supporters' Club, confirmed a request for a fans' forum, held along the same lines as the two at Queen Anne's School last season, had been submitted to the club.

"It would give an opportunity to supporters to get together and have their say and express their concerns," said Wynn.

"It is a concern of the supporters club that supporters are getting value for money and are happy at Bootham Crescent - at the moment they are not happy at Bootham Crescent.

"Our fear now is that things are not really getting any better despite bringing in several new players and we are finding a lot of regular supporters, season-ticket holders, people who have been at the club for 30-40 years, are saying how disappointed they are at the way things are going this year.

"Everyone agrees there has to be a dramatic and sustained improvement almost immediately.

"If we are relegated we are into the Conference and face becoming another Doncaster Rovers or Hereford United - that is what everyone is concerned about.

"We feel enough is happening within the club to justify a forum and I do believe we will get a favourable response," he said.

City are currently 20th, nine points from the bottom of the table which is occupied by Chester City.

Wynn added: "I am sure the club will not shy away - I think both forums worked very well last year."

York City secretary Keith Usher today confirmed a request for a fans' forum had been received by the club and the matter would be discussed at the next board meeting at the end of the month.

It was at the second of last season's forums that chairman Douglas Craig announced Alan Little had been sacked as manager with current chief Neil Thompson installed as caretaker boss.

At both meetings, questions from the floor were directed to City's board and management team under the chairmanship of Malcolm Huntington.

Wynn distanced the supporters' club from protesting group Fans Against Craig's Tyranny (FACT).

"FACT is not a supporters' club, it is what I would call a small fraction of supporters," he stressed.

Usher today confirmed he had passed on a fans' complaint to Cheltenham about an alleged obscene gesture made by striker Neil Grayson during the club's recent 2-1 win at Bootham Crescent.

It is alledged the player, who was born in York and had a brief stint on City's books, made the gesture towards the Popular Stand after netting Cheltenham's second goal.

Usher said a copy of the complaint, received by e-mail, had been passed on to Cheltenham, who were dealing with it as an "internal matter".

Hall and Garratt return to action

Veteran defender Wayne Hall was set to make his first appearance in a York City shirt for almost six weeks today.

The experienced left-back was expected to play at least 45 minutes for City reserves in their Pontin's League division one rearranged fixture at Notts County.

Hall has been plagued by an heel injury that has required two injections and while the problem had not completely cleared-up manager Neil Thompson said the left-back was willing to play through the pain barrier.

"He has still got a bit of pain but he wants to get back and play as quickly as possible," said the City chief.

Also making a welcome return to action today was midfielder Martin Garratt.

The prospect has not featured in the first team squad since the beginning of November due to 'personal problems', but returned to training just before Christmas and was due to play for the reserves last week in their postponed match with Stockport County.

The return to action of Hall will be a big boost to Thompson, who looks likely to be without the services of striker Colin Alcide for Saturday's home visit of Torquay United.

Alcide was taken off at half-time in the 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Mansfield Town at the weekend with a back injury and is rated extremely doubtful for the visit of The Gulls.

Scott Jordan, also withdrawn at half-time on Saturday with a back problem, is said to be making a quicker recovery.

Stand-in skipper Steve Agnew, suspended for the visit of Torquay, missed training today and yesterday with an ankle injury.

Jonno goes from Bootham Crescent to the Maracana

Former York City starlet Jonathan Greening has the world at his feet.

He is one of four Manchester United youngsters getting their chance to shine in the club's final World Club championship game against South Melbourne tonight.

Greening, Ronnie Wallwork, Danny Higginbotham and Mark Wilson have all been named in the side to face the Australians in the Maracana Stadium.

United cannot make the final so boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants to blood his fringe players in the group B game.

Andy Cole, who will be partnered by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, will captain the side for the first time.

MANCHESTER UNITED: Van der Gouw, P Neville, Berg, Wallwork, Higginbotham, Greening, Cruyff, Wilson, Fortune, Cole, Solskjaer.

Local favourites Corinthians clinched a place in the World Club Championship final in Brazil with a dramatic 2-0 vioctory over Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr in Sao Paulo.

Earlier, Real Madrid had stunned home fans by beating Raja Casablanca 3-2 despite having three men sent off.

That left the Brazilians needing to win by at least two clear goals which they managed when Corinthians skipper Freedy Rincon fired in the all-important second goal with just eight minutes left to play.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.