YORK City Supporters Trust is bouncing back from the 'failures' of the last few years, according to chairman John Lacy.

The Trust, which owns a 25 per cent stake in the National League North club, held its first general meeting for nearly three years at Bootham Crescent this week.

Lacy, who took over as Trust chairman in January, re-affirmed his support for club chairman Jason McGill but reported no progress in talks aimed at securing representation on the club board.

He revealed that membership of the Trust has gone up by over 12 per cent since the start of 2017 and now wants to build stronger links with the club's Academy and the York City Ladies this season.

"We had failed to keep in touch with our members, failed to call meetings, keep proper accounts, or make legally required returns to the Financial Conduct Authority," he said.

"Most seriously, we were failing to adequately represent the concerns of fans during a critical period in the life of York City FC.

"By the summer of 2015, membership of the board had fallen below quorate numbers and, without the co-option of several volunteers during the next 18 months, we would have struggled to recover and maintain adequate administration of the organisation."

Lacy paid tribute to the volunteers who had stepped forward to join the board over the last three years, saying: "Without their complete commitment and huge amounts of hard work we would not have been able to begin the re-generation of the Supporters Trust which is now getting underway."

The Trust currently has 677 members of which 125 are annual members and 552 life members. This represents an increase of 77 in new, renewed, or upgraded members since January.

"It remains profoundly true that York City Supporters Trust is only as strong, or as weak, as its membership," he said.

"Since 2006 there has been a massive reduction in membership numbers and, therefore, in the resources needed to provide leadership and to organise activities. But since the New Year there have been signs of recovery."

Lacy described an improvement in communication between the Trust and the club, saying: "During the last 12 months, the Trust Board has had some success in facilitating more frequent meetings and dialogue with Jason McGill and other members of the club's management and administration.

"Discussions have taken place with regard to the Trust's right to representation on the club board and on issues related to the future funding of York City."

Lacy told the Press that McGill had not 'blocked' the idea of Trust representation on the board but had imposed specific conditions.

"He is not looking for a 'fly on the wall'," said Lacy. "They must also be able to bring certain skills and abilities to the boardroom.

"It is still very much on our agenda to pursue this and, in the near future, we will be seeking someone to put forward. But I also think many people realise it is a very onerous task. If someone was bursting to do it, they would have come through by now."

Lacy says the Trust takes 'very seriously' its financial responsibility to contribute significantly to the club's budget. Fundraising plans under consideration include a members' scheme, prize draws and sponsorship from local companies and businesses.

"All supporters of York City recognise that recent setbacks on the field, and the seemingly endless postponement of our move into a new stadium, have placed intolerable pressures on the finances of York City FC," he said.

"The Trust recognises, with gratitude, the considerable personal investment in the club by Jason McGill and JM Packaging – which has continued to pay the bills well beyond the point at which Mr McGill expected York City to have financial security in the Community Stadium.

"York City Supporters Trust once raised £200,000 at a time of severe crisis for The Minstermen," he recalled. "We may not be able to beat that – but supporters of our football club, again, need to dig into pockets and rattle some buckets to raise York City to a better place."

Lacy, 73, and Martyn Jones were both re-elected to the Trust board. Sarah Stelling and Bill Owen were elected having previously been co-opted.

Roy Clarkson, Stephen Lambert, and Simon Pickering were elected to the Trust board for the first time. Richard Bower, who had previously been co-opted, did not seek election.

The new Trust board will hold its first meeting on Monday.