ANYONE willing to take on the troubled York City has got to be a bit of a gambler.

So it is fitting that John Batchelor, the club's new supremo, should unveil plans for a casino in the Minstermen's new home.

Is this a glittering new future, a hint of Las Vegas-style glamour for York's football club, all spinning roulette wheels and cashed-in chips? Who knows what will happen, but we certainly await developments with interest.

Mr Batchelor crucially understands that City's new stadium, wherever it is eventually built, will have to be more than just a football ground. This is why the casino has obvious appeal, drawing in punters throughout the week, and not just on match days.

Few people who have looked at York City recently will have seen a sparkle of Las Vegas about the club. But Mr Batchelor appears to be a man who likes a challenge - a gambling man, indeed. Let's hope his luck is in.

Updated: 10:16 Friday, March 29, 2002