THE question asked more than any other this week amid all the goings-on at Bootham Crescent has been: "Can the Supporters' Trust really run York City?"

"Why ever not?" has to be the answer.

It is a massive misconception, bordering on the patronising, to think the fans cannot run the club any better than any of City's previous owners.

Indeed, it should not be forgotten that the last but one regime ignored the simple business rule of 'spend less than you earn' by allowing 180 per cent of turnover to be spent on wages alone.

There is no formal qualification needed to be a chairman. Nor can anyone who has taken up the highly cherished position been the subject of an interview or vote among rank and file supporters.

What the role requires is talent, skill, common-sense, business-sense, vision, ideas, passion and commitment.

The Trust and its board has shown all that and more in recent months and is it not better to have any number of heads working together to solve a problem than just one or even four?

Detractors and doubters will no doubt point the finger at the Trust's lack of financial clout.

But when during the club's 80-year history has City ever been propped up by a massively wealthy benefactor?

No doubt in the past individual directors have dipped into their pockets to keep things ticking over during hard times but the club has always had to cut its cloth accordingly.

There was no super-rich philanthropist looking to take control of the club back in February, so there is no reason to expect there'll be one now.

In such circumstances, the Trust are as good a bet as anyone if not the best.

The challenge of arresting the current financial problems and then bringing in fresh income other than gate receipts will, of course, be a sizeable one.

But, as has already been stated, the Trust has an abundance of talent and ideas and it should not be forgotten it raised more than £100,000 in just a few weeks at the start of the year.

More importantly, and as John Batchelor admitted this week, it will be far easier for a charitable organisation, run not for profit nor for personal gain, to attract funding and sponsorship than any individual.

Indeed, in recent weeks it has been suggested a so-called £30million rescue-fund put together by the FA, the Premier League and Professional Footballers' Association should not go to club owners but to democratic, mutual supporters' trusts to ensure that the cash is spent responsibly.

More than anything in the current climate, fans want honesty and openness as to the future of their club while businesses want the same to restore their faith.

There again the Trust holds all the aces. It has no hidden agenda save to do what is best for York City.

The next few days and weeks could prove something of a watershed for the Minstermen but what now looks a crisis could yet prove to be a major opportunity.

A NOTABLE absentee from the Rochdale squad that was taking on York City earlier today was Kieron Durkan.

Wideman Durkan had a brief spell on loan at City two seasons ago and arrived at Spotland on a free transfer from Macclesfield in July 2001.

However, he has failed to establish himself as a first-team regular under Dale boss Paul Simpson, who is now trying to off-load the former Irish Under-21 international.

Durkan's most probable destination appears to be Halifax Town in the Conference.

YORK City Ladies were on the wrong end of a five-goal thriller when they played Grimsby Town last week.

Louise Ross grabbed her third goal in two games to fire City into an early lead.

However, the Mariners rattled in three goals before the break to move into what looked an unassailable lead.

And despite a valiant fight-back in the second half by the City Ladies so it proved.

Ace poacher Jenny Garnett pulled the goal back City, to add to her hat-trick of the previous week, but despite plenty of pressure York could not find an equaliser.

The City Ladies will be hoping to bounce back against Wakefield tomorrow at the Civil Service sports ground off Boroughbridge Road.

YORK City's intermediate team have been left with a blank weekend and seen three points deducted from their Youth Alliance North East Conference tally.

The City youngsters were due to entertain their Scarborough counterparts today but the Seasiders have now stopped running their youth team.

It means the three points City picked up after beating Boro 2-1 back in October has now been scrubbed from the records.

The City youngsters are next in action on Saturday, November 30, when they are due to take on Hull City at the club's Wigginton training ground.

NO GAME, no points and therefore no change in the Evening Press player of the year marks this week.

Here's a reminder of the current standings:

Brass 23 points, Smith 18, Duffield 14, Cook 13, Parkin 13, Fettis 9, Cowan 8, Nogan 6, Beresford 5, Brackstone 5, Edmondson 3, Hobson 2, Jones 1, Reddy 1

Bid up for the Trust

IT'S TIME to dig deep, again. This week's fundraising auction in aid of the Trust has taken on extra significance given that the fans' group is now looking to gain control of the football club.

At the same time as giving the Trust a welcome cash boost, supporters will be able to get their hands on some rare football memorabilia.

A Brazil shirt signed by Ronaldo is expected to fetch the most interest.

However, also going under the hammer are signed shirts from Birmingham, Blackburn, Bournemouth, Charlton, Cheltenham, Coventry, Dunfermline, Fulham, Huddersfield, Ipswich, Leeds, Leicester, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Oldham, Preston, Sheffield United, Stoke City, Tottenham and Wigan football clubs.

Loads of other memorabilia are up for grabs, including a pennant signed by Sven Goran Erikkson, autographed footballs, programmes, tickets to matches and signed photographs.

A pair of gloves signed by Italian international Francesco Toldo and a pair of boots autographed by Juventus star Pavel Nedved, a David Beckham-signed book and a days training with City are some of the more unusual items expected to fetch big sums.

The long-awaited fund-raising auction will take place on Thursday and will be staged in the City social club.

Because the social club has a limited capacity, the event will be by ticket only and cost £5 which will include a free drink and buffet.

Fans who will not be able to attend the event can register their bids by e-mail. The address is thelionyorkie@btinternet.com

Updated: 12:36 Saturday, November 23, 2002