YORK City's Supporters' Trust has reported a £10,178 deficit for the year ending June 30, 2005.

The figure was revealed in the Trust's accounts, which have been distributed to Trust members, and compares unfavourably with the £11,940 surplus enjoyed in the previous financial year.

Annual income dropped from £71,646 to £42,453 from June, 2004 to June 2005, while the Trust's expenditure over the two periods only fell from £59,706 to £52,631.

The most significant reduction in income came in the "donations and other fundraising" column which totalled £8,843 in the year ending June, 2005 compared to £26,742 in the 2004 accounts.

In the year ending June, 2004 the Trust's coffers were also swollen by the Fans and Legends matches, which raised more than £14,500.

At the end of the latest financial year, income from fundraising dinners (£16,834) rose by £5,000 and the Evening Press-launched Save the Reserves appeal collected £2,162 but, in addition to the decline in donations and other fundraising, no money was made from bucket collections.

The 2004 figures also benefited from a £1,000 donation from Oldham Athletic's Supporters Trust and the £700 prize as Trust of the Year winners.

As a result of the reduction in income, the Trust's donations to the football club during the year ending June, 2005 fell from £42,531 to £36,087.

Trust membership also decreased from 2,044 on June 30, 2004 to 1,364 a year later.

The financial impact of that drop was countered by the addition of 53 new life members but still amounted to nearly £1,500.

Referring to the loss of members, the Trust's financial statement, compiled by Robinson & Co chartered accountants, said: "As the experience of other Supporters' Trusts has shown, membership levels can decline after the apparent urgency of an initial crisis. While disappointing, it was not surprising that there was a reduction in the number of Trust members in 2004/2005."

The statement also praised City fans' fundraising efforts since the £500,000 collected as a rescue package in 2003 but reiterated the need to continue and improve a vital income stream for the club.

It said: "In addition to 'normal' income streams such as gate receipts and merchandise, in the past three years City's supporters have donated around £700,000 for the benefit of their club - a remarkable achievement. Going forward, it is important for fundraising efforts to be maintained and developed further."

Trust members, meanwhile, have been urged to make sure their votes count. They have until Friday to cast their votes for the Trust board elections and resolutions.

Five candidates - David Cocker, Ian Hey, Kirsten Ovenden, Mike Shannon and Ian Tyssen - are running for four Trust board positions.

Hundreds of votes have already been received but Trust secretary Stan Collins said: "Come on, Trust members, make your vote count. We've five supporters who have stepped forward and are prepared to help their club through serving on the Trust board."

The election is being overseen by an independent returning officer and an election working group.

Results will be announced at the Trust's annual general meeting on Thursday, December 15 in the Tempest Anderson Hall, Museum Gardens, York.

The annual meeting will be followed by a fans forum with members of the club board.

Anybody unable to attend the evening but wanting to raise a question should e-mail the query to enquiries@ycst.org.uk

City's Ryan Mallon has been loaned to Conference North side Gainsborough Trinity. The ex-Halifax striker has not started a first-team game since the first day of the season.

Updated: 09:39 Tuesday, December 06, 2005