Fire chiefs have poured cold water on a link-up between York City and America.

Officials of Major League Soccer outfit Chicago Fire have firmly denounced reports linking them with a buy-out of the Minstermen.

The speculation of an American interest in the Minstermen was sparked at the public meeting called by protesting supporters' group Fans Against Craig's Tyranny (FACT).

Around 40 fans gathered at that meeting were told support for their stance was being taken seriously on the other side of the Atlantic, with around 400 messages of support coming via the internet.

Amongst those backing the group's criticisms of the current management at the club, and chairman Douglas Craig's style in particular, was said to be an American businessman who already has a large stake in Fire.

However, speaking to the Evening Press from the Chicago Fire's head office in Denver, Colorado, president Bob Sanderman, said: "I have never heard of these problems at York.

"Our owner is Philip Anschutz and I can assure you he would have no interest in funding a company against the current owners of York City.

"He would never be interested in doing that and would not have the time of day to do it.

"We are not looking to purchase any European or UK soccer franchise, it is not something that interests us. These reports are totally unfounded."

Anschutz is one of the richest men in the United States and lives in Denver.

It remains possible that a Chicago Fire stakeholder acting on his own initiative has taken an interest in Bootham Crescent.

Greg Stone, spokesman for FACT, said today: "We are hoping to make contact with someone linked to Chicago Fire in the near future."

But the Stateside club's general manager Peter Wilt has also expressed his surprise at the speculation.

Wilt said he had never heard of FACT and had "no knowledge" of anyone from Fire casting their eye over City.

Wilt said: "Our ownership does have an interest in European (ice) hockey and has at times explored an interest in European soccer teams but I have no specific knowledge of FACT or York City.

"I know they have done some exploratory stuff throughout Europe but from what I gather our soccer interest in Europe has cooled."

Fire were the 1998 United States Open Cup champions and the MLS Club Champions in the same year and play at Soldier Field, a ground used by American football giants Chicago Bears, averaging a crowd of 18,419.

As well as Chicago Fire, billionaire Anchutz, 59, owns MLS clubs Colorado Rapids and Los Angeles Galaxy and is co-owner of the National Hockey League's Los Angles Kings.

He also owns four ice-hockey teams in Europe including the London Knights.

Anschutz, who was born in Russell, Kansas, is the owner of the Anschutz Corporation, which he started in 1965 and has interests in the fields of natural resources, transportation, real estate and communications.

He is a noted collector of paintings of the American West and is a keen marathon runner and tennis player.

Hartlepool pitch expected to be OK

York City's match at Victoria Park on Boxing Day (1pm) is expected to go ahead despite Hartlepool reserves home encounter with Hull City yesterday being postponed.

The club took the decision to call-off the match to safeguard a rain-lashed playing surface which is expected to have recovered by Sunday.

Following a battling 2-1 win away to Exeter last Saturday, Hartlepool boss Chris Turner is convinced his ninth-placed team are closing in on the promotion play-off pack.

He said: "If we get a good percentage of points from these games we could be 40-odd by New Year and be virtually safe. If we have 50-odd come February or March we could be in business."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.