THE comments of would-be City owner John Batchelor, revealed in the Evening Press yesterday, should be heeded even if his bid fails.

Batchelor indicated City would have to move to a new ground if his ambitions were to be realised and described the fact most grounds are only open on match days, once every two weeks, as "insanity".

As unpalatable as it is to some, a move away from Bootham Crescent was always a matter of when, not if. Its current location means it is hardly ripe for development.

The problem with the current uncertainty is the time. The board of Bootham Crescent Holdings have left little for manoeuvre. But that aside a move away from the Crescent to a new, purpose built ground could breathe new life and, crucially, finances into the club.

For some time, education chiefs have been calling for schools to become the focus points of communities.

It certainly doesn't make sense that schools, with all their computers, books and sporting equipment, are open just six hours a day, five days a week and for only 30-odd weeks a year.

It is waste of valuable resources that can be made available to the public at large. Football clubs, including City, are slowly coming around to the idea that it doesn't make sense for their facilities to lie dormant other than on match-days.

A new ground with its added function rooms, catering facilities, bars, shops should ensure round-the-clock interest and usage and would really put the club at the heart of its community.

Updated: 10:51 Saturday, January 26, 2002