SUPPORTERS fighting to save York City from oblivion are confident they will have a say in the running of their football club.

It is only seven days since the Save City Committee met for the first time at the offices of Evening Press.

However, already much has been achieved according to committee member Paul Rawnsley, who also chaired the public meeting to launch the idea of a Supporters' Trust earlier this month.

"Over the past week or so there has been a huge amount of positive work by York City supporters to help ensure our club survives, not just by members of the working party but also by many others who love the club," he said.

Rawnsley explained that to work effectively the committee members, about 30 in total, are working in sub-groups, each focusing on different areas.

These areas include public relations, logistics, marketing/fundraising/community, business matters and forming the Trust.

Rawnsley added: "The Supporters' Trust will play an absolutely crucial role in helping to secure the future of York City Football Club. We are increasingly confident that we will help deliver a solution in conjunction with other parties and that the supporters will play a key role in the future running of the club."

Some of the activities of the working party this week have included discussions with the board of Bootham Crescent Holdings, City of York Council, local MPs and various potential investors.

Work has been done on the actual creation of the Trust involving legal and constitutional matters.

A publicity campaign has been conducted through through local and national media while over £6,000 of funds already raised for the future of the club and more fund-raising events are in the pipeline while a Save City website is being developed.

Planning for the public launch of the Trust at The Barbican on Friday, February 1, collating ideas from fans about the campaign and improving liaison with the Supporters' Direct organisation has all taken place in the last seven days.

THE priceless goal that saw City beat Grimsby and earn the Minstermen their date with Fulham was notable for more than just the excitement and cash it will generate.

As Alan Neilson bundled Richard Cooper's cross into his own net, it was the first own goal recorded in City's favour for more than two years.

The last time City benefited from such a clanger, was back on October 2, 1999, when Chester City's Martin Lancaster put through his own net in a 2-2 draw at Bootham Crescent.

Strangely enough, prior to that, City's last own goal recorded in their favour came just seven days earlier at Hull City in a 1-1 draw at Boothferry Park courtesy of Gareth Williams.

Football and history, intertwined on Tuesday night as City took on Grimsby.

The match ball was sponsored by the family of Bill Pearson, who played for both City during the war and the Mariners in the post-war years.

Spotted playing football for the RAF, flying winger Bill was a war-time guest for City, making just one appearance against Bradford Park Avenue in 1942, a game City lost 6-3.

He joined Grimsby not long after playing at the highest level before later joining Chester, where he was forced to retire in 1949 because of a knee injury.

Bill, now 80, is still alive and kicking in Bishopthorpe but unfortunately was unable to make Tuesday's game due to illness.

However, I understand he was kept informed of the goings-on by son Kevin, who was able to report back all the incidents via a mobile phone.

FRONT RUNNER Michael Proctor enjoyed a productive week in the Evening Press player of the year rankings.

Proctor earned the man of the match award and three points in the draw with Torquay then picked up another point in the FA Cup win over Grimsby.

With Richard Cooper (2) and Matt Hocking (1), players lower down the table, picking up the remaining points against United, and similarly Mike Basham (3) and Graham Potter (2), earning the other points from the clash with Grimsby, Proctor has now broken through the 30 points barrier.

Latest standings: Proctor 32pts, Nogan 28, Fettis 26, Bullock 24, Edmondson 16, Brass 13, Fielding 12, Smith 7, Hocking 7, Basham 8, Hobson 4, Howarth 3, Cooper 5, Potter 4, Fox 1, Richardson 1.

Updated: 11:09 Saturday, January 19, 2002