The running row over the Huntington Stadium track escalated today as Friends of Bootham Crescent (FoBC) threw down the glove to the City of York Council.

The pressure group has challenged the Council to stick by their word. If they do not the club could die stress the fans' body.

FoBC spokesperson Ian Savage explained that they believe the Council was set to betray the club by reneging on an agreement made with all the relevant parties earlier this year.

"At the time when York City FC was in administration, and very close to being wound up, the agreement to lease Huntington Stadium was essential in order to maintain League status.

"Representatives from the Supporters Trust (who now own the club), Persimmon Homes, Bootham Crescent Holdings and the Council, including the chief executive David Atkinson all attended a meeting where the agreement for the club to move was made.

"We understand that it was actually the suggestion of the Council themselves that the new Park and Ride scheme at Monks Cross should be accelerated, and also that the Council would undertake to relocate the athletics facilities, including the track, to a suitable alternative site in the City.

"It now seems the council have changed their mind, and seek to either leave the track where it is, or ask the football club to contribute significantly towards the cost of the re-location.

"But the club do not have that kind of money."

Savage voiced FoBC's concerned that the move by the council could end professional football in the City of York.

"We held a meeting recently with certain members of the board of York City, including Ian McAndrew, stadium development director, who confirmed the promise given by the Council.

"We were advised at that time that leaving the track in-situ would leave insufficient room to build the stands and terracing required to accommodate 6,000 people - the minimum capacity acceptable to the Football League.

"If we can't play at Huntington, and can't play at Bootham Crescent because the board of Bootham Crescent Holdings (the ground's owners) who refuse to sanction a long-term lease, there is no other site available to the club.

"League rules demand a ten-year lease in place for any club coming out of administration, which means that York City will be expelled from the League, even if a ground-share could be agreed with another club. With no league status, and no ground to play on, York City FC as we know it will cease to exist."

Savage called on David Atkinson to ensure that the Council keeps its word over the running track, or implement a simple alternative.

"The City of York Council seem to be threatening the death of the football club, because they will not keep to their side of the bargain," he said.

"However, the Council do have a viable alternative available to them, which is the compulsory purchase of the Bootham Crescent site, to maintain professional football in the City.

"We maintain that as Bootham Crescent Holdings transferred the site into their ownership for around £165,000 then this should form the basis of a CPO valuation. This also represents significantly better value for money for the Council-tax paying citizens of York."

Savage refused to rule out direct action by the group, who claim they have the backing of the supporters of York City.

"FoBC exists to campaign for the preservation of Bootham Crescent until a suitable alternative site becomes available.

"We challenge the Council either to pay for the relocation of the track as they promised to or to take out a CPO so that we can reclaim our home at Bootham Crescent. If they fail to do so, they will almost certainly kill our Club single-handedly."

Updated: 11:25 Saturday, May 17, 2003