York City chairman John Batchelor today appointed a new director to the board of the football club.

Nick Townend, managing director of Northcross Ideas, is the second new director invited to join City by Batchelor after Ian McAndrew was unveiled earlier this month.

Townend, 42, who lives near Pocklington, and Northcross Design have been working closely with City over the last couple of months on confidential plans to overhaul the image of the club.

Northcross, based at York Science Park and one of the top design consultancies in the country, are the firm behind the re-branding of the club, which should see the unveiling of a new club crest to be used on future City merchandise tomorrow.

Batchelor said: "With every board member I am bringing in will have a specific task.

"Nick's job is to develop the brand in areas away from football to create income streams away from the club.

"For example, when we create our York City lingerie range Nick will be with me. It is brand development."

McAndrew, 51, who is an associate director of S Harrison Developments Limited, part of the Harrison Developments construction group based in Malton, has been handed the vital role of overseeing the move away from Bootham Crescent.

The York City Supporters' club handed over a cheque for £600 to the football club last night at the group's annual general meeting.

Batchelor, chief executive Keith Usher and manager Terry Dolan were in attendance at the AGM, which attracted the best turn-out of members in ten years.

It was announced chairman Jeff Mortimer will be standing down after 45 years serving on the committee of the Supporters' Club, 19 of which has been spent as chairman.

The existing committee was re-elected and a new chairman will be decided at the next meeting of the supporters' club in July.

Updated: 11:57 Thursday, May 30, 2002