MORE than 50 per cent of York City supporters who bought cut-price season tickets for the 2003-2004 campaign have now stumped up extra funds.

At least half of the 1,000 fans who took up former chairman John Batchelor's offer have rallied to the club's appeal for a donation.

City are battling to overcome the problems caused by Batchelor's decision to sell season tickets for the upcoming campaign at half-price.

It has left the club's new owners facing a £200,000 shortfall in income this summer - the sum they would have expected to bank had they been able to sell the tickets at full price.

Batchelor has since pledged to pay £85,000 to help soften that blow and in the wake of the fan take-over supporters who bought their tickets at half-price were asked to make a voluntary cash contribution to further help ease the situation.

City's communications director, Sophie McGill, said: "Our sincere thanks go to all those season ticket holders who have donated the other half of their ticket price and we urge more fans to come forward.

"We recognise the supporters have given so much already to help save the club, but every penny will count next season. "

Meanwhile, with the June 14 deadline for fans wanting to buy season tickets at reduced prices rapidly approaching, the club have announced a promising take-up.

Of last year's estimated 1,500 season ticket-holders, only 371 fans have yet to renew their tickets.

Furthermore, the club has attracted 118 new season-ticket holders and, in a boost for City's quest to establish itself as a community club, tickets for the Family Stand have nearly sold out.

Buoyed by a new management team, sponsorship agreement and kit deal, City are hoping more applications will flood in over the next few days before Saturday's deadline for reduced tickets.

McGill said: "There is a real feel-good factor around the club and around the city at the moment."

Updated: 10:57 Thursday, June 12, 2003