BOOTHAM CRESCENT HERE TO STAY!

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HUNTINGTON PLANS DROPPED!

Over last few months, there have been amicable negotiations between Jason McGill (on behalf York City FC), Persimmon Homes and Bootham Crescent Holdings.

Subject to final legal details, an agreement has been reached that allows the club to play at Bootham Crescent for the foreseeable future. The legal agreements will take several months and no details of the deal can thus be released until then.

This deal will enable the club to play next season and for the future. Let there be no misapprehension - this is a long-term solution.

As a result of this development, the Board have decided to withdraw the planning application for Huntington Stadium and wish to thank Ian McAndrew for all his work towards that aim.

A press release from FoBC will appear below in a few moments time!

DISCUSS THIS EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT HERE!

[Reg Hedge]

PRESS RELEASE
4th February 2004




FoBC hail ground breakthrough

Supporters’ pressure group, the Friends of Bootham Crescent (FoBC) today expressed “joy and great relief” that an agreement appears to have been reached which will see York City FC stay at their Bootham Crescent home for the foreseeable future.

FoBC spokesperson Ian Savage was quick to praise the efforts of the club’s directors, and the hard work of the club’s owners, York City Supporter’s Trust. “Without the Supporters’ Trust, and the efforts of its directors and ordinary members, York City FC would without question have folded in January last year,” he commented. “Now thanks to the unpaid efforts of the Trust and Club boards, particularly Jason McGill, it looks as though Bootham Crescent has been saved as well – a massive achievement in the circumstances.”

FoBC feel a great relief that a solution had been found to the apparent deadlock over City’s home of over 70 years. “FoBC have always said that we would campaign against the club being forced out of Bootham Crescent until a suitable alternative venue was available,” said Savage. “It has become more and more apparent that Huntington Stadium was never going to be suitable for League Football for a large number of reasons – not least of which being the eviction of Nestle Rowntree Athletics Club from the venue. We’re all delighted with this news and we’re sure that the residents of Huntington and the Athletics Club feel the same way.”

He went on to add, “It was a situation that should never have been allowed to develop in the first place, and only ever came about through personal greed. But York City has now shown the footballing world what fans can achieve. Hopefully now the Club can move on to show the population of York what community spirit actually means.”

Friends of Bootham Crescent can be found on the internet at www28.brinkster.com/fobc and can be contacted by email to

Ends.
_________________
Neatest trimmed bush in Foxwood.

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Further to the joint media statement by Bootham Crescent Holdings,
Persimmon Homes Ltd. and York City Football Club, City Director Jason McGill said, "We are delighted to have reached an agreement regarding the future of Bootham Crescent. It has taken much hard work and many sleepless nights, but Subject to contract, we have achieved our aim of ensuring York City has a home For next season and for the future."

McGill added, "The Board of the Football Club made the decision to pursue the possibility of staying at Bootham Crescent when it became evident the move to Huntington Stadium was not a suitable alternative. All parties involved in these intense negotiations have been very co-operative."

As a result of the announcement, the Club confirmed today it is now the
Board's intention to withdraw the planning application for the redevelopment of Huntington Stadium, and praised fellow director Ian McAndrew for all his efforts.

Jason McGill said, "Huntington Stadium has played an important role in
this situation, as for many months it did remain our only option for survival and allowed us to maintain our Football League share. Ian McAndrew has worked tirelessly on this project and we would like to thank him for all his dedication and commitment."

McGill finally added, "The Board of Directors is now in a position to
plan for the future and drive the Club forward. We are a dedicated and
Ambitious Board and our aim now is to develop a club at the heart of the
community, playing entertaining First Division football. I am sure we will have a football club the people of York can be proud of."

The Board of the Supporters Trust, the body that owns the Club, has been
made fully aware of the negotiations which have taken place and
unanimously supported the moves taken by the Football Club Board of Directors to stay at Bootham Crescent.

The staff and players at the Club were earlier this morning addressed by
The Board of Directors and were delighted by the news.

City Manager, Chris Brass said, "This is wonderful news for the Club,
the players and the supporters. I know how much hard work Jason and the directors have done to make this happen and it is a tremendous
achievement. We all now look forward to a bright future on and off the pitch."

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Statement from York City Supporters' Trust

City's Supporters' Trust welcomed today's announcement that, subject to finalising legal arrangements, agreement has been reached for York City Football Club to continue to play at Bootham Crescent next season and for the foreseeable future.

On behalf of the Club's owners, Trust Board member Paul Rawnsley said,"Great credit is due to Jason McGill and those around him who have supported the aim of remaining at Bootham Crescent. Thanks also to all those supporters who have kept faith with the Trust and the Club to deliver this solution."

In March 2003 the Trust put in place a six-strong Board of Directors of the Football Club. Like the Trust Board, each Club director provides his or her time on a voluntary basis. Within less than a year, much has been done to implement the Trust's Community Vision and this has been a vital aspect helping to deliver the long term ground solution.

York City is about far more than its Football Team. The Club is not only a place where local people come together to watch football in a safe and friendly environment, but also a means of delivering community and education work. York City is widely recognised as a major asset to the City and region and it will now be able to stay at its home at the heart of the community.

On behalf of the Club, Trust Member and Club Director Jason McGill has led the negotiations to arrive at the agreement. Over the past several
months, the Trust Board has provided its unanimous support and has been kept informed of significant developments.

Relevant details about the agreements for City to remain at Bootham Crescent will be made available when all of the legal arrangements have been
concluded. That is expected to take some months. Until that time, the parties involved will not make further statements on the matter.

For the avoidance of doubt, the arrangements in relation to Bootham Crescent do not involve any change to the ownership of York City Football Club
Limited.

Last month, the Trust Board commenced a review of the corporate governance structures and processes at York City. This is a natural periodic assessment almost one year on from the formation of the new York City.

Insome respects, the corporate governance review may also relate to the Bootham Crescent arrangements. Relevant details will be announced by the Trust when appropriate.

Trust Chairman Richard Snowball said: "The Boards of both the Trust and Club continue to work in the best interests of York City. Whilst much has been achieved already, for the future, York City seeks a growing level of support from local people and businesses."

As a result of the latest developments, it has also been announced that it is now the intention of the Club Board to withdraw the planning application for the redevelopment of the Huntington Stadium site.

The thorough assessment of redeveloping Huntington Stadium as a new site for York City has now proved that it is not a suitable alternative. There are too many obstacles and issues involved. That is why the Club will be
withdrawing its planning application for redevelopment of Huntington Stadium. Great credit is due to Club Director Ian McAndrew for his focussed commitment and professionalism to progress the Huntington application.

Trust Chairman Richard Snowball expressed the Trust's support for the wider sports community in York, "We're very pleased we can continue to use Bootham Crescent, at the heart of the community. We also remain very supportive for all sports in York and wish both the Rugby and Athletics Club good luck as they can now stay at Huntington as it is."