After listening to a recent Radio York interview with council leaders from the main three parties regarding the new proposed community stadium, I was left underwhelmed at their lack of commitment, seven years after the project originally began. Only the Labour Party said they were 100 per cent behind the project, but even their statement lacked any substance.

Urgent action is required to help keep professional sport within the city, and the best way to bring in the extra revenues required is through a stadium fit for the 21st century, with facilities to match. This could be used by residents seven days a week.

Watching professional sport is a good way to promote the message that we all need to participate more for the good of our health and wellbeing.

York City FC works within the community, and over the last 12 months has coached about 10,000 children, both able-bodied and disabled, and works alongside the police in helping reduce antisocial behaviour in problematic areas of the city.

The club also runs summer camps, and after-school clubs. This helps keep kids off the streets, as well as improving fitness levels. I believe the rugby club runs similar schemes that also benefit a number of York residents.

Although gates at both clubs would suggest only a minority would benefit from a new stadium, if you look at the wider picture there is a lot going on behind the scenes that gives added value to this project. More success on the pitch would result in larger crowds, bring extra away support into the city and increase income for local businesses.

To stop another Barbican fiasco, I urge the councillors and residents of York to give their urgent backing to this project and help protect sport within the city. Clive Howell, Bridge Close, Haxby, York.