I WAS very surprised at the comments of the anonymous parent of the York City Centre of Excellence player.

How can she express such surprise and disappointment that she has been asked to make a contribution of as little as £200 to meeting some of the running costs of the centre?

Surely no-one in York or the surrounding area or who is a football enthusiast can be unaware of the parlous financial position of York City over the past two or three years. Last week's announcement regarding the retained player list and the players asked to take a pay cut only confirms the tight financial constraints in running a football club at Conference level.

The reserve team for next season has only been able to continue by the fantastic efforts, mainly of York City fans and supporters groups, who with the support of some local businesses have raised over £10,000 in six weeks.

I find it rather hard to believe that many families of young players can't raise the £200 requested either themselves or by sponsorship etc. I am sure that many of these families will spend over £200 per season on designer boots and club shirts etc. My own two boys play with local junior football clubs, where the annual subs are £50 per season, plus at least twice that amount supporting various fund-raising efforts.

If my sons want to join clubs or groups we expect to pay for it. Very little in life is free and certainly a club like City can't afford to fund the future growth and development of all the young players.

I would expect a more responsible level of journalism from the Evening Press and am disappointed at your 'Foul Play' headline (Thursday, April 28). Surely you know all about York City's current plight?

Val Duggan,

Holgate,

York

The Foul Play headline referred to the comparison between the running costs of the Centre of Excellence and the weekly wage demands of Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand, who was pictured in the report, not the tact that parents were being asked to pay £200 - Sports Editor.

Updated: 11:09 Friday, May 06, 2005