POLITICIANS investigating the parlous state of football have been hearing at first hand about the plight of York City.

Now the problems and experiences encountered by supporters who battled to save City could bolster the campaign to help clean up the game.

City chairman Steve Beck has returned from the House of Commons where he was quizzed about the Minstermen's brush with extinction by MPs.

Beck was also able to put forward his own recommendations to the All-Party Parliamentary Football Group which could make those running football clubs more accountable.

For years, football's top brass have promised to take a firmer hand on the game's turbulent finances.

The Football Association has indicated rules would be introduced to ensure anybody seeking to take-over or be a football club director would have to be 'fit and proper' to hold such a position.

Fit and proper person tests were first proposed back in 1997 by Sir John Smith, following his investigations into 'bung' allegations. However, six years on and no such tests have been introduced.

While fully supporting the need for checks on individuals, Beck reckons even stiffer regulations are required if the game's governing bodies are serious about cleaning up football.

In particular, Beck would like to see all-would be owners of clubs submit detailed business plans and financial forecasts for approval before their take-overs can be ratified.

In order to have their take-over of City, then in administration, approved, the Supporters' Trust had to submit a very detailed blueprint for City to the Football League, as well as provide evidence of security of tenure at a ground.

However, while the Trust had to prove their take-over plans were workable, solvent clubs can be traded with no questions asked by the governing body.

Beck, fresh from pointing out the irregularity to MPs, recalled: "We had to fulfil certain criteria and meet various conditions in order for our Football League share to be transferred. We didn't object to doing it because it proved we could run the club and guarantee its survival.

"However, when there is a simple transfer of ownership no such checks are done or conditions applied.

"We believe guarantees should be sought from all clubs and their owners, regardless of whether they are coming out of administration or not.

"If the groundwork is done before any transfer of ownership goes through then it can prevent a lot of problems further down the line."

Also quizzed by the All-Party Parliamentary Football Group panel were representatives from AFC Wimbledon and Malcolm Clarke, co-chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation.

Chaired by Alan Keen MP, who met with City Trust representatives at Bootham Crescent last season, the Football Group panel, which also includes Selby MP John Grogan, is expected to publish its recommendations later this year.

Updated: 09:05 Thursday, July 03, 2003