FANS have turned out in their thousands to prove that York is a "sporting city".

More than 7,500 supporters went through the turnstiles at Bootham Crescent and Huntington Stadium to boost York City and welcome the resurrected York City Knights.

A bumper crowd of 4,611 helped fill City's coffers at Saturday's game against Swansea City, while 3,105 rugby league fans saw the Knights kick-off a new era against Hull Kingston Rovers yesterday.

With only 122 Swansea fans among the crowd at Bootham Crescent, City's crowd was the best attendance by home fans this season. The biggest attendance was the local derby against Hull City on December 28, when a 7,856 crowd was boosted by 3,554 Hull fans.

The Knights' crowd is believed to be the largest for a rugby league match in York for several years.

The football club may still have an uncertain future, but fans were on cloud nine after a 3-1 win. The mood was helped by news of a "take-over bid" by the York City Supporters' Trust which eased the tensions.

A win was the perfect tonic, and club president John Greenway said the players responded to the fans' effort. "The mood and atmosphere was helped by the result. It was very buoyant and upbeat," he said.

"If people make the effort like they did on Saturday, we can get the crowds in and the players can respond with the performance they gave on the pitch.

"I hope they will come back. I think there is no reason why we should not be able to save the club."

Paul Rawnsley, of the York City Supporters' Trust, said: "It was a great turnout. It would be great to get that many every week.

"I have never been in doubt that people didn't care about City. The people of York will not allow the club to wither and die."

The Swansea game could have been the last in City's history, but cash from the Supporters' Trust has given the Minstermen a stay of execution. The gesture was not lost on the City players, who warmed up before the game in Supporters' Trust T-Shirts. Fan Brian Coughlan, of York, said: "A lot of people came in early. We came down with 12 of our neighbours and tried to get a bit of a turnout. I am optimistic about the future and it was good to see so many people at Bootham Crescent supporting the club."

Rugby fans also turned out in force to see York City Knights' debut with a gallant 36-26 defeat to Hull Kingston Rovers.

The huge crowd has given club chiefs hope that it could be the springboard for a successful season. Chief executive Steve Ferres said: "We are absolutely delighted with the turnout. It was tremendous.

"We were obviously hoping for a crowd of 2,000 plus, but to get 3,000 was great. It shows there is still a passion for rugby throughout the city.

"It was great to see York City getting a good crowds as well. It is evidence that sport is alive and well in York."

Updated: 12:14 Monday, January 20, 2003