Fans stand their ground

It is more a symbolic gesture from City fans but one the club and its supporters should be proud of.

The City Supporters' Trust have given their cash backing to attempts by AFC Wimbledon to own their home and create 'The Fans Stadium'.

As part of a public share offer, the City Trust have acquired 1,000 shares for £600 in AFCW PLC, the company that is buying the Dons' current home, Kingsmeadow.

The company has already raised an incredible £1.2 million from supporters through the share offer, which remains open until January 2, 2004.

Not only will it remain as home to both AFC Wimbledon and Kingstonian FC, but the 'fans stadium' will act as a centre to offer support to supporters facing similar problems to those of Wimbledon FC.

Back in the 1990s, Wimbledon FC's Plough Lane ground was sold for development and the club was left to ground share with Crystal Palace.

Stripped of its main asset by the then owner, the club was left exposed and the subsequent Norwegian owners have now relocated Wimbledon FC 70 miles northwards to Milton Keynes.

AFC Wimbledon was formed in 2002 and in their first season in the Combined Counties League, they enjoyed an average home crowd of more than 3,000 - greater than Wimbledon FC in Division One.

The efforts and achievements of the supporters of AFC Wimbledon have been widely acclaimed and in September 2002 The Dons Trust topped the Trust of the Season Awards, just ahead of York City.

Aside from similar ground problems, there are strong links between City and AFC Wimbledon.

Dave Boyle, from Supporters Direct and who also helped create AFC Wimbledon, played a key role in helping City fans establish the Trust at the beginning of 2002.

In February that year, a large group of Wimbledon fans travelled up from London to help support City's Fans' United Day.

In February 2003, when City were given just hours to survive, the Dons Trust donated £500 and a bucket collection at Kingsmeadow raised a further £3,000 for the Minstermen.

Trust spokeswoman Kirsten Gillies said: "As well as being part of the local community, York City has a leading role to play within the wider football community.

"In our darkest hours the fans of AFC Wimbledon supported York's trust. Now we have the opportunity to do something in return."

More information about The Fans' Stadium project can be obtained from www.thefansstadium.co.uk

FORMER City boss John Ward has hit out at Division Three big spenders Northampton Town.

Ward alleges the Cobblers offered him the vacant manager's post only to then appoint Colin Calderwood 48 hours later.

As reported in the Evening Press, Ward resigned from his new post as Carlisle United assistant manager last week to hold talks with Northampton.

Ward reckons he was offered the job on the Tuesday, asked for some time to think about it only to find out former Tottenham defender Calderwood had also been offered the job.

"I'm disappointed, but if that's Northampton's attitude then maybe they were not the right club for me," said Ward.

REMEMBER, remember the fifth of November? The planned firework display at Bootham Crescent on Bonfire Night, hosted by the City Reds, has had to be cancelled.

The success of the City youth team in the FA Youth Cup in midweek means the ground will be playing host to their second round tie with Macclesfield on November 5.

The firework display will be rescheduled. However, no new date has been set. Watch this space.

ONE TIME York City trialist Phil Hadland must be heading for the record books.

After spurning a contract offer from City in 2000, former Reading winger Hadland has since joined no fewer than seven clubs in less than three years.

After a short spell at Bootham Crescent, Hadland joined Rochdale then went to Leyton Orient, then Carlisle, then Brighton, then Darlington, then Colchester United before earlier this month joining Leek Town, who are riding high in the UniBond League first division.

A FINAL reminder that the Trust is staging a fundraising race night at the social club at Bootham Crescent on Friday, October 24.

Entry is free, with the doors opening at 7.30pm and the first race getting underway at 8pm.

Organisers are still looking for sponsors for each of the races, at the cost of £35 per race.

Individuals or businesses willing to back the event should contact either Kirsten Gillies at kirsten@ycst.org.uk or Dave Potter at acombdave@hotmail.com

CITY'S Bootham Crescent is hosting a holiday club for youngsters aged eight to 14 during the upcoming half-term holiday.

The holiday club will open from 8am to 6pm from Monday, October 27 to Friday, October 31, and will also be based at Clifton Green Primary School as well as at the ground.

Youngsters will have the chance to take part in numerous sporting, arts and craft activities with music and games consoles also provided.

A full day costs £12 and £10 concessions, or £6 and £5 concessions for half a day.

For further details, telephone Paul Olsson on 01904 613017.

DURING the same week, Olsson and City's Football in the Community programme will be staging a footballing funweek for youngsters at Askham Bryan College.

The funweek is open to boys and girls aged from five to 16 years and costs £40.

For further details, telephone Olsson on the previous number.

WITH 1,950 members and more 350 Junior Reds, who are also affiliated members of the York City Supporters' Trust, membership of the fans' body is equivalent to over two-thirds of City's typical home attendance.

It is reckoned that makes it probably the best supported trust in the country.

Membership has grown by almost 40 per cent since the time of the trust's first AGM and elections in June 2002.

FORMER York City chief Denis Smith has signed a new two-year contract with Wrexham.

Smith couldn't stop the Red Dragons from being relegated during his first year in charge at the Racecourse but took them back up to the Second Division at the first attempt last season.

FAN favourites Jon Parkin and Chris Smith both returned to the City ranks this week and not only made an immediate impact on the pitch but in the Evening Press player of the year rankings too.

Parkin won the man of the match accolade and three points in the disappointing defeat at Halifax, with Smith earning two points on the night.

It was the duo's first points of an injury-blighted season so far.

Darren Dunning picked up the one remaining point on offer at the Shay to extend his lead at the top of the table.

At Mansfield, Richard Hope was crowned man of the match with Mark Ovendale picking up two points and Leigh Wood one.

Hope's position in the rankings remains unchanged. However, Ovendale has moved up to third position while Wood has made it into double figures.

Rankings: Dunning 17, Bullock 14, Ovendale 12, Ward 10, Wood 10, Hope 7, Brass 3, Nogan 3, Parkin 3, Wise 3, Brass 2, Smith 2, Fox 1, George 1, Merris 1, Wilford 1

Updated: 12:20 Saturday, October 18, 2003