McGill rallies support for new stadium (From York Press)

McGill rallies support for new stadium

9:15am Wednesday 26th March 2008 in Sport By Dave Flett, Sports reporter

YORK City managing director Jason McGill has called for supporters to exert pressure on the local authority to speed up the move to a new stadium.

In his programme notes for last night's home match against Northwich, McGill also described the club's annual £200,000 outgoings as a "constant struggle" which "cannot be funded without changes to the framework of the football club".

Majority shareholder McGill, did not elaborate on what such changes would entail but a smaller first-team squad, wage budget and the possible disbandment of the reserve side now seem inevitable next season.

City pay almost £140,000 a year as part of the £2 million Football Foundation loan acquired to buy back Bootham Crescent from previous directors Douglas Craig, Barry Swallow and Colin Webb.

McGill also estimates that £60,000 is needed every year for the maintenance and upkeep of the current ground, but added that some of the club's financial concerns would be alleviated if some assurances can be given over relocation. In a plea to fans, he said: "Please help us lobby and exert pressure on local council representatives to publicly advocate, champion, endorse and fully co-operate with York City to provide a superior community stadium for the people of York.

"The major stakeholders and decision makers in the city must now decide once and for all if a professional club is viewed as an important asset for the local community. As a board, we are acutely disappointed by the lack of progress in determining the club's new stadium ambitions.

"There must be a general agreement on the need and desire for a new community facility for the city. This is a vital component and will be highly influential in deciding the future of the football club not only in the long term but also over the coming weeks when the board will have the difficult task of financial budget preparation for next season.

"The cost of preserving this (Football League) structure is excessive and unachievable with the club's current income streams."