Message from York City Supporters' Trust

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York City Supporters' Trust writes…

Understandably, there's a lot of anger, frustration and concern amongst City's fanbase regarding the team's current position in the Conference. There is a lot of time and effort being expended to try and improve that situation.

However, for a moment, supporters might like to reflect on the breadth of activities that were reported in the match programme on Saturday 16 October. A 'snapshot' of the continuing efforts of many City supporters that, when results on-the-pitch are not so good, are even more challenging to sustain.

- Under new ownership, the Club has made big strides to improve perceptions of the club in relation to its anti-racism stance. There were various activities at BC on Saturday in relation to the national 'Kick Racism Out of Football' campaign.
- The young players and officials of two of YCFC's 'feeder clubs' (New Earswick and Stamford Bridge) were at BC on Saturday and many of the kids had the opportunity to play on the pitch. There are 6 feeder clubs that compliment the club's scouting system and help build relationships to local junior football.
- City's 'Football in the Community' scheme is (again) running a half term football funweek (from 25th Oct)
- The scheme to invite former City players as guests continues and on Saturday former player/coach & manager Barry Lyons was the guest.
- The next fundraising Race Night is to be held on Friday 22 October at the BC Social Club.
- During the past year, the Minstermen Draw & Saturday Yankee have vastly improved in terms of numbers & fundraising for the Club (particularly from a wider audience than the regular fanbase)
- Report of 100+ City fans who watched City's Sky Live match against Morecambe last week on the newly installed Sky & screens in the BC Social Club.
- There were several guests of the Club on Saturday in relation to the anti-racism initiative including the Sheriff of York, Safer York Partnership, COYC and York Racial Equality Network.
- Nominations for the Trust Board elections closed on 15 October - an opportunity for all City fans to volunteer and be involved in the business of running City.
- Family Fireworks Display at BC on Wed 3 November.
- Towton Minstermen Draw on behalf of the Youth Development Fund will be held on 18 Oct.
- The vibrant Harrogate Minstermen continue their activities.
- The York Minstermen are also proving very active and have increased the use of the Social Club; including next meeting on 28 Oct, Quiz Night on 11 Nov, Pop Quiz on 18 Nov.
- York City South were Saturday's match sponsors.
- The Malton Minstermen now hold regular meetings and are actively fundraising.
- Those supporters who have kindly contributed through the Bootham Crescent Loan Notes 2004 Issue to help City acquire BC are listed in the match programme each week.
- The Club received an overwhelming response from local primary schools to a poster & poetry competition. Darren Dunning & Sophie McGill visited the 'winning' children at their schools last week.
City's Youth Scheme profile continues in the match programme each week.
- The programme also included the Trust's quarterly summary of activties (1 July to 30 Sept). Available in full via www.ycst.org.uk.


There is a common theme that runs through virtually all the examples listed above…like the boards of the Trust and Club, all these activities are reliant on volunteers providing their time and efforts because they feel York City is worth it. To all those City supporters who continue to contribute positively in whatever way, the Trust would like to thank you.

York City is owned by supporters and run by supporters. With unity, hard work and commitment, we can build a better York City.