MORE than 1,000 people have signed up to a supporters’ push to secure York’s new community stadium.

And top-level backing has also been given to the initiative devised by a group of volunteers aimed at ensuring the city’s most influential figures keep the pressure on to make the project happen.

Members of A Stadium For York collected more than 300 signatures for a petition supporting their drive at last week’s Blue Square Premier semi-final first leg between York City and Luton Town at Bootham Crescent, while hundreds more have added their names to the online version.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Ben Bradshaw and Conservative shadow Minister for Culture Ed Vaizey have each lent their support for the community stadium scheme, which would be a new home both for City and York City Knights and is also intended to include leisure, business and community facilities plus £1 million for York’s athletics scene.

“The response to what we are trying to achieve has been absolutely fantastic and we’re continuing to encourage people to give their support,” said the group’s spokesman James Waterson.

“It shows the passion for sport in York and how much we need a stable ground. We need to get as many names as possible on the petition to prove how much backing there is for the scheme.”

In his message of support, Mr Bradshaw said: “York City has had its fair share of issues over the years and it is great to see the club has lost of its drive and ambition.

“We completely support the plans for the new stadium to become a community asset. We wish the club every success with a new development and are pleased with the plans to have a community stadium of which the people of York can be rightly proud.”

And Mr Vaizey said his party would be “delighted to work with City of York Council to make this project happen”.

For more information or to sign the petition, log on to astadiumforyork.com