YORK City communications director Sophie Hicks has pleaded with the club’s fans to turn out in numbers again for tonight’s rearranged play-off clash against Fleetwood.

A sell-out crowd filled Bootham Crescent for Saturday’s original semi-final, first leg game only for the all-ticket contest to be called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

Hicks has now urged all supporters to return for this evening’s rescheduled game and get behind the players by retaining their tickets for the postponed fixture.

She said: “We know that Saturday’s match was a big inconvenience for many supporters but we have got to pick ourselves up and keep focussed on the football. Please, please, please keep your tickets and let’s get everybody in Bootham Crescent again and hope everything runs smoothly.”

Hicks added that the City board were grateful for the efforts of everybody who attempted to get Saturday night’s match on, saying: “The postponement was hugely disappointing for York City Football Club and I just want to thank everyone who worked so hard on the pitch including the groundsmen, volunteers, youth-team players and community staff.

“Everyone tried their very best to get the game on and the office staff also worked tirelessly during the week. We haven’t had a game off all season and the ground staff have been outstanding.

“They worked so hard all afternoon but, unfortunately, the weather just beat us.”

Hicks also thanked referee Carl Boyeson for his decision to delay the kick off by half-an-hour in a bid to get the game played on Saturday night.

“It was very difficult for the referee,” she admitted. “The weather was unusual throughout the day and the rain kept coming down heavily.

“I think he was right to give it a chance and we were grateful he did but, unfortunately, it was just getting worse.”