THE campaign to save York City can now boast the support of two former sports ministers.

Kate Hoey, who held the position between 1999 and 2001, has joined her predecessor Tony Banks in signing a Commons early day motion (EDM) backing the Minstermen's fight for survival.

Ms Hoey said the club plays a vital role in the local community and called for its current and future owners to work with the newly-formed supporters' trust to give York a "viable future".

The motion - which was put down by local MPs Hugh Bayley, John Greenway, John Grogan, Lawrie Quinn and Phil Willis - now has the backing of 37 MPs.

Other MPs to have signed include veteran left-winger Dennis Skinner and Roger Casale - who is battling to ensure his own club Wimbledon's survival.

It praises the trust and states that "football clubs are vital community institutions and that their grounds are assets, developed and cherished by the local community over decades".

The motion also gives the dire warning that, if the bid to save the Minstermen fails, North Yorkshire will be the largest county in the UK without a football team.

York MP Hugh Bayley said he was delighted with the response so far.

He said: "The motion has set Westminster alight. The supporters trust has gained a lot of respect in a very short time and I hope the new owner recognises that and it involves it in the running of the club."

Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh has also backed the motion, but said she is prevented from signing it by Parliamentary protocol.

Frontbench spokespeople, a position she holds in the Tory's Sport, Media and Culture team, are normally not allowed to put their names to EDMs.

She said: "I am quietly working away behind the scenes on the club's behalf."

Meanwhile, Mr Grogan and Mr Bayley have signed a second EDM praising the efforts of Chesterfield Football Supporters Society. The society, similar to the trust set up by York fans, has purchased a 75 per cent controlling stake in the club.

The remaining list of MPs who have signed the EDM is: Alan Keen. Harry Barnes, Alice Mahon, Anne Clwyd, Colin Burgon, Paul Truswell, Tony Banks, Terry Rooney, Frank Doran, Kevin Hughes, Michael Clapham, Chris McCafferty, Gordon Prentice, Kevin McNamara, Bob Russell, Vincent Cable, Robert Wareing, Bill O'Brien, Kevin Barron, Martin Caton, Terry Lewis, Nigel Jones, Ronnie Campbell, Andy Burnham, Matthew Green, Edward O'Hara, Paul Flynn, David Drew and Eric Illsley.

Updated: 11:56 Tuesday, February 12, 2002