"NEVER doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

Those are the words of anthropologist Margaret Mead and they certainly ring true for those working so hard to save their club.

Even if the fans' efforts to take control of City come to nought, their recent actions should dispel any doubts about the vital role they can play in the future of the Minstermen.

It was a massive gauntlet that was thrown down to them but they have proved they can no longer be ignored.

Fulham's generous hand-over of the gate receipts, Shed Seven's benefit gig, bucket collections and a newly-launched website have all been very evident thanks to the diligent work of the working-party's marketing and public relations arm.

Snipers could say the monies expected to be realised from such ventures and others like an auction of football memorabilia pale in comparison to the £4.5million needed to buy the ground.

But whatever the sums, it is money City would not have otherwise seen. It has also galvanised interest in the club not just in the city but across the country.

Behind the scenes, other members of the working party have been working equally diligently on the logistics and legalities of any take-over.

Others, it seems, have been working closely with local firms and the council, lobbying MPs and football's top brass as well as holding discussions with Bootham Crescent Holdings as their campaign gathers momentum.

They have displayed skill, purpose, courage, commitment and credibility.

There is still a long way to go but they have already done York and football fans proud.

THOSE fans who perhaps feel they don't have the skills to play a part in the Supporters' Trust still have a vital role to play in safeguarding the club.

Re-igniting the passion of the disaffected perhaps holds the key to the club's survival and that is where the ordinary fan comes in.

Today's FA Cup clash with Fulham promised to be a wonderful distraction from City's off-field and on-pitch problems, watched by a bumper crowd with the eyes of the nation's media focusing on events at Bootham Crescent.

However, thoughts must turn to what happens after the Lord Mayor's Show.

Tuesday night's extremely disappointing crowd of little more than 2,300 merely strengthened the hammer held by those looking to put the nail into the coffin of York City.

Such a disappointing attendance merely underlines the claim the support just isn't there for the club to carry on.

However, given that almost 7,000 were at Bootham Crescent a week earlier and more than 9,000 were expected today the interest in City is clearly there, even if it is not yet sufficient to climb down from the armchair and go through the turnstile on a regular basis.

Their reasons for staying away is another story altogether.

What is important is that the hardcore fans do not begrudge today's so-called fair-weather friends but welcome them with open arms.

They also need to encourage as many friends and family to get down to as many matches as possible.

All that really matters is the club survives. To do that it needs as many fans as possible to come through the gate.

And to those fans who were fortunate enough to get tickets for today's game but have steered clear at Bootham Crescent, an appeal.

There are just over 60 days left between City going out of business. There are just nine home League games left this season, possibly the last in the history of the club.

If City don't survive there will never again be games against Fulham, Manchester United, Everton, Arsenal or Liverpool to savour.

Whatever your reasons for staying away in the past, put them to one side and rally to the cause.

The Fans United day against Lincoln City next Saturday should provide the perfect opportunity.

FULHAM have offered an autographed shirt to be auctioned to raise funds for the Save City campaign.

City fan Alan Harris wrote to Fulham chairman Mohammed Al Fayed asking for assistance so a shirt could be sold off either at the public meeting to launch the Trust next Friday or via the Internet.

He received a call from Al Fayed's secretary to say one would be winging its way to York after the Cottagers' next signing session.

Updated: 10:55 Saturday, January 26, 2002