WHAT a fantastic weekend for sport in York. Beleaguered York City beat Swansea City 3-1 and York Knights, playing their first match to a capacity crowd, put in a thrilling performance, narrowly missing out in an 11-try thriller against Hull Kingston Rovers.

These encounters speak much about the passion, faith and heartache of sport - both on the pitch and for the long-suffering fan.

The York City crisis may have eased for the moment but these are still cliff-hanging days.

Saturday could easily have seen the last home match for York City. The axe hasn't fallen but it hovers still, leaving both players and fans hoping and praying that matters work out - and that the awful fate can be dodged.

How encouraging that so many fans should have turned up to witness these important encounters. York City, possibly tottering towards oblivion, pulled in a bumper crowd of 4,611 - the Minstermen's second biggest Bootham Crescent gate of the season. As that figure included only 122 fans from Swansea, the number of home supporters was 4,489 - way above the average attendance in recent seasons.

Over at Huntington Stadium, which itself has been suggested as a possible temporary home for York City, York Knights acquitted themselves so well that, despite finally losing, they received a standing ovation for the valiant way they ran the Robins so close.

The crowd of 3,105 was the second highest Rugby League crowd of the day - and a surging improvement on the 280 fans who dutifully turned up to see the last York Wasps match in March 2002.

In these gloomy days for York City, there is a lesson of hope in York Knights. One failing and floundering side has gone and in its place a vibrant new club has arisen. So with hope and the right backing, a club can overcome the starkest odds.

Fans lie at the heart of all this, as has been shown by York City Supporters' Trust, whose sterling work has helped keep the team afloat in the darkest of days. Now the fans who turned out at Bootham Crescent on Saturday will be looking to have their faith repaid.

Updated: 12:06 Monday, January 20, 2003