NOW that we are approaching what could be the last-ever FA Cup tie at Bootham Crescent, it seems an appropriate time to make a romantic and heritage-based appeal for the club to remain at its traditional base.

When I first came to York - around 30 years ago - one of the initial and hugely positive comments from visiting friends was about the wonderful variety of shopping available in the city centre.

Since the '80s, of course, economic reality has held sway and York no longer has places such as Stubbs, Hunter and Smallpage, Woolgroves, Hannons. Now, our city centre has the same identikit stores as everywhere else. Are the people of York better served by this ? I think not.

Similarly with Bootham Crescent. The capacity is just right for a club of realistically limited ambition. In the bad times, 1500-sized crowds don't look too bad and it only takes 4,000 or so to make a rip-roaring atmosphere.

When you go to the ground, you can see it is part of a city. You can anticipate before - or commiserate after - the game in a wonderful variety of pubs. The Minster and the city walls are all close by. The club and ground are part of the city.

If you are a visiting fan, it's easy to get to by train. Or, if you come by car, there's the challenge of not getting lost on the inner-ring road and finding somewhere to park still within sight of the floodlights.

These little challenges and experiences are what adds the necessary spice and enjoyment to the game itself.

Of course, it would be easier to find and park at an out-of-town venue. Of course, a pitch with four new bog-standard box-type stands might be more comfortable, in a utilitarian kind of way. Of course, it would be easier for the police and coach companies to control visiting fans from a windswept car park direct to an isolated stadium. Follow this argument to its end and it's even easier to stay at home.

So, the short-term economic argument that took away the soul of shopping in York threatens to do the same to its football club.

All small-scale soccer clubs run as much on sentiment than sound finance. In a new soul-less arena there will be no spirit, the money will never add up wherever the club plays, and so the demise of YCFC would seem likely in the medium term future.

David Lewis,

Church End,

Cawood,

Selby.

Updated: 12:04 Friday, November 07, 2003