YORK CITY Supporters Trust have issued a rallying call for new members ahead of key decisions on the group's 25 per cent stake in the club.

City chairman Jason McGill, who owns the majority 75 per cent stake, has offered to fund a £1m shortfall in the team's playing budget over the next two years if the Trust agrees to hand over the minority stake.

A group of Yorkshire-based businessmen have also been in talks with the Trust about the possibility of investment.

Representatives of the Trust held further talks with McGill last week and - although the details of that meeting have not been revealed - any resulting proposals involving the Trust's stake will be put to a members' vote.

The Trust has released a statement urging other City supporters to get on board and have a say on the club's future following relegation from the Football League.

"It should be understood that much of the discussion taking place with Jason McGill remains confidential at present but Trust members and fans in general should know that important questions will, in the near future, be open to discussion and proposals will be put to the membership," said the statement.

"The consequences of our failures on the field - leading to our exit from league football - are serious and all of us who care about York City FC view the future with some anxiety."

At present, the Trust has around 500 life members and 50 annual subscribers. The club's average home gate was just over 3,000 last season.

"It is a common saying in football that when your club is having a bad run everyone has to stick together – players, coaches, fans, management," the statement continued. "At York City, we are all in this together – the Club Board, the Trust Board, the playing staff, the fans' groups, the Vice Presidents and anyone else who loves York City.

"When the going gets tough, the tough get going, and there are plenty of people around our football club who are getting going in all kinds of different ways to help York City move forward. That includes the York City Supporters Trust - and we need your help.

"Important decisions concerning the Trust and its future stake in the club will be made over the course of the summer," the statement added. "If you want to have your say in those decisions please join/rejoin as a Trust member."

Life membership of the Trust costs £100 and annual subscriptions cost just £10.

Reflecting on recent criticism of the Trust, the statement said: "At the end of a difficult and disappointing season for our club, it is perhaps understandable that many supporters have asked questions and raised concerns about what went wrong and why?

"In this context, it is right that fans will hold the Supporters Trust to account for their stewardship of members' 25 per cent ownership of the club.

"When football clubs do badly, fingers of blame are pointed in many directions, and the Trust has been criticised, sometimes justifiably, for its shortcomings in recent years. Not least, members have expressed regret at poor communications within the Trust.

"The Board does not defend poor administration but we do point out that our Trust leadership is only as strong as the voluntary commitment of time and effort by our members – and for the last couple of years or so we have struggled to find the bodies needed to do the job."

John Uttley, chairman of the East Riding Minstermen, was recently co-opted onto the Trust board and accompanied Trust chairman Ian Hey to the meeting last week with City chairman McGill.

"It was a three and half hour meeting that was both amicable and productive," said Uttley. "We are now looking to hold our next Trust meeting before the start of the new season."

Uttley is also keen to develop closer links and communication between the Trust membership and the various Minstermen and supporter groups.

Anyone wishing to join the Trust should email Martyn Jones at martyn.jones5758@hotmail.com or martyn.jones58@ tesco.net.