PROTESTERS fighting for the survival of York City's football ground took their campaign to the doorstep of the developer they say threatens to destroy it.

Members of the pressure group Friends Of Bootham Crescent hoisted their flag, unfurled banners and stuck up posters at Persimmon Homes's new Olympian Court flats complex in Lawrence Street.

They were aiming for maximum embarrassment for the York-based housing company as it was today unveiling the prestigious new apartments to prospective buyers.

The Friends are campaigning against Persimmon's plan to redevelop Bootham Crescent with flats and family homes.

Persimmon has said it was working with York City FC and it had been more sympathetic to supporters' sentiments than other developers would be.

But campaigner Frank Ormston said the time had come for direct action against the company which he said would "profit handsomely" from the sale of Bootham Crescent.

He claimed that sale could contribute to the demise of York City.

"We want them to withdraw their planning permission and pull out of Bootham Crescent so football can continue," he said.

Ian Hessay, managing director of Persimmon, told the Evening Press that he was involved in discussions with the directors of the club. He said he was unhappy with today's protest and said he would call the police, as the group was trespassing.

Lifelong York City fan Peter George said of the club's recent history: "If someone had written a book about this, you would think it was fiction. But it isn't. Unfortunately it's all true."

Updated: 12:17 Saturday, August 16, 2003