ONE week after its formation York City's Supporters' Trust has surged past the 600-member mark.

The number of City fans now signed up to the Trust, which was formed at a landmark meeting at York's Barbican Centre, currently stands at 609, a heartening figure swelled by the assistance of the Evening Press as part of its 'Save City' campaign.

There have also been 33 juniors, but because Trust rules do not allow for members under the age of 16 their 'membership' has since been transferred to the Supporters' Club's Junior Reds' section.

Trust steering committee member Richard Snowball, whose remit is to help to collate the Trust force, said the response has been 'most encouraging', especially as the 600-figure barrier had been broken within a week of the launch of the group aimed at ensuring the survival of up-for-sale York City.

He explained that of the 609 Trust members, 70 had taken up life membership, which costs £100 per person. Annual membership of the Trust meanwhile is priced at £10 per year.

So far the cash realised from the membership, plus other donations, stands at £14,118. The Trust is still to receive an expected £30,000 from Premiership Fulham, whose chairman Mohammed al Fayed offered the generous gesture of all his club's share of the gate from the FA Cup fourth round clash at Bootham Crescent last month when Fulham won 2-0.

Snowball revealed that no less than 87 applications for Trust membership had come via the form printed in the Evening Press on February 2, the day after the rousing official launch. The Evening Press has today re-published the form.

The Barbican gathering was attended by many of City's former star players, plus current Middlesbrough boss, York-born Steve McClaren, who leant his backing to the group.

"We are very pleased with the response for far, but we are expecting fresh impetus when it is discovered who will get control of the club," added Snowball.

Two bids - one from motor-racing boss John Batchelor, the other from York Rugby League Club chiefs John Stabler and Russell Greenfield - are currently being considered by Bootham Crescent Holdings.

BCH own City's Bootham Crescent ground on which there is a price tag of £4.5million.

Updated: 12:27 Tuesday, February 12, 2002