INSTALLING retractable seating so that the running track could be retained at the redeveloped Huntington Stadium has been ruled out because of costs.

The idea was floated at a York City Supporters' Trust fans meeting at the Tempest Anderson Hall in York last night, which was attended by around 150 supporters.

Ian McAndrew, stadium development director for the football club, which is planning to move to the ground in time for the start of the 2004-05 season, said removable seating would take the £3million project way over budget.

Athletes who currently use the track fear they will be left homeless should City's planned relocation from Bootham Crescent go ahead.

McAndrew denied the club were ignoring the athletes' concerns but said in negotiations with the City of York Council the local authority had always insisted it would take responsibility for relocating the track.

Amid concern that the timescale for redeveloping the stadium was too tight, McAndrew said "significant progress" was now being made.

He revealed architects had been given a brief to design a stadium with a capacity of between 6,000 and 7,000, which could then be increased at a later date.

The redevelopment will see the building of three completely new stands, all covered and including a terraced area, with the existing main stand at Huntington upgraded.

The ground issue was just one a of a number of topics discussed at last night's fan gathering.

In a series of presentations, supporters were given a history lesson detailing the complex events of the previous 16 months and in particular the Trust's rescue package that saved City from extinction was highlighted.

Fans were told the footballers' union, the Professional Football Association, had described the financial situation when the club went into administration at the end of last year as "the worst they had ever encountered".

Chartered accountant Peter Brown gave a presentation which detailed concerns as to how the recent administration process was handled.

Brown is serving on the creditors' committee which this week announced it would be launching a legal challenge to the fees charged by insolvency firm Jacksons Jolliffe Cork.

Brown revealed the creditors committee would ensure the old club would be kept in administration until certain issues were resolved but stressed that would not bar City from promotion should it be achieved.

He explained the new York City was a separate company from the old club still in administration and it was the new company that enjoyed membership of the Football League following this week's share transfer.

Updated: 11:15 Saturday, April 26, 2003