CAMPAIGNERS demanding a community stadium in York want a “clear, cross-party commitment” from city chiefs to build it within the next five years.

James Waterson, chief at A Stadium For York – the fans’ body established to put pressure on City of York Council to build a new ground for York City and York City Knights – said the “death of professional sport in the city” would be faced unless “action is taken soon”.

The Press reported on Wednesday the council revealed that, despite the authority’s commitment to a new community facility, it was “not helpful to anyone to estimate a date for delivery”.

In a briefing note given to The Press, it was disclosed that a number of factors could impact on the project including planning, third-party challenges and negotiations on land.

That led York City chairman Jason McGill to say the club “very much fear” the council’s position.

The note also showed the council had looked at how a number of other stadiums and community developments were run across the country, concluding there “probably isn’t a perfect model for operation”.

It was also disclosed there is “no provision for any council resources to run this (stadium) on a day-to-day basis” and said “important lessons” had been learned from visits to a number of stadiums around the country.

The note from the council, however, added that much of the information provided had been on a confidential basis.

Waterson, whose A Stadium For York campaign garnered support from all the recent York Central General Election candidates, said the city’s elected representatives had to “recognise this great opportunity”.

He said: “Our local MPs have pledged their unequivocal backing to the community stadium.

“The thousands of York residents who have signed our petition are behind it.

“And everyone we have talked to at a national level, including serving cabinet ministers and funding bodies, supports the project – but only on the condition that City of York Council throw their weight behind it.

“We want to hear a clear, cross-party commitment to building a new stadium within the next five years. York’s elected representatives need to recognise this great opportunity and back their officials to provide a landmark project for this fantastic city.

“We do not expect unlimited access to public funds – this must be a financially sustainable project. But without the complete support of local government and a concerted effort to assist with planning and acquisition issues the project is destined to struggle.

“Unless action is taken soon then we will be facing the death of professional sport in the city. York would then become one of the biggest cities in Europe without a suitable venue for spectator sports. This cannot be allowed to happen.”

• FORMER York City defender Chris Smith has agreed to join Mansfield Town.

Smith scored against the Minstermen last season for Tamworth, where he was club captain.

Another former Minsterman – Mansfield striker Jon Shaw – has signed for Gateshead, along with Northwich forward Jonny Allan, while Crawley have signed defender Danny Hall from Chesterfield.


Bill Beaumont backs stadium campaign

FORMER England rugby captain Bill Beaumont, near right, has added his weight to the campaign for a new community stadium in York, writes Dave Flett.

Beaumont, famous for his appearances on A Question Of Sport during the 1980s, visited the city to speak at a dinner for the Wooden Spoon, a children’s rugby charity.

He discussed the need for a new venue with A Stadium For York steering committee member Simon Mallett who said: “Bill Beaumont knew about the current set-up at Bootham Crescent and Huntington Stadium and thought a combined stadium with community facilities was the way forward for the clubs and the city. He wholeheartedly backed the campaign.”


Knights to drum up petition support

YORK City Knights fans will be able to add their support for the campaign to build a new community stadium at Sunday’s home match with Blackpool, writes Dave Flett.

Signatures will be collected before the game to add to the Stadium For York petition that has already attracted more than 2,000 names.

Petition volunteers will also be present in Parliament Street during every Saturday afternoon throughout June before all the signatures are presented to the City of York Council at the beginning of July.

The Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu and former City favourite Jimmy Seal have already put pen to paper for the cause, which has also received cross-party support from many politicians, as well as former England rugby union captain Bill Beaumont.

Anybody wishing to pledge their support online, can do so by visiting www.astadiumforyork.com

Meanwhile, City fans who went to their team’s Blue Square Premier play-off final, meanwhile, can enjoy discounted tickets for Sunday’s Knights match.

A discount of £4 adults and £2 concessions is available if Wembley ticket stubs are presented to club office staff before 5pm today.