THE new board of York City have breezed through the club like a breath of fresh air, just hours after the Supporters' Trust completed the take-over of the Minstermen.

The band of five directors that took their place on the board to steer the club forward through the opening of an historic new chapter in the life of City was already widely known - with Steve Beck, Sophie McGill, Mike Brown, Jason McGill and Ian McAndrew the famed nap-hand.

However, the roles for the five have now been revealed, along with a ground-breaking code of conduct highlighting their determination not to see the club slip into the same financial straits as the last couple of seasons.

The board are also to introduce a new incentive scheme in which two Trust members, plus one guest each, will be chosen at random every home game, to spend the match in the directors' box.

Beck, a fan of 35 years, will take pride of place as the chairman of the club, with Sophie McGill the communications director, Jason McGill commercial director, Brown marketing and IT director and McAndrew the stadium development director.

However, it is the new code of conduct that is sure to show that York City will be a community club, run by the fans for the fans.

"It is important that no-one on the board is perceived as being a free-loader, enjoying the privileges of the position or making an individual profit," said Sophie McGill. "As a result we will be implementing a code of conduct.

"We will be setting the precedent for all future directors and must establish a certain protocol from the start."

The code will see include a number of measures where the directors will pay their way. These include:

- Directors will purchase a Main Stand season ticket every year;

- Anyone invited by a director into the directors' box, such as friend or family, will be a paid-for guest - with numbers regulated;

- In terms of away travel, directors will pay for any overnight accommodation that is required.

The new incentive is aimed at increasing the membership numbers of the Trust and showing that the board will still have the same contact with the fans as before.

Whereas, under the previous regime ex-chairman John Batchelor tried to integrate himself with the fans, the Trust will welcome supporters into the boardroom at home games for a VIP experience, including a tour of Bootham Crescent and an insight into the workings of running the club.

McGill added: "It is a gesture to the members of the Supporters' Trust.

"Two Trust members will be chosen at random through the membership numbers, and will be invited, along with a guest each, into the boardroom.

"It is an incentive for people to join the Supporters' Trust, but also gives our members the opportunity to see what goes on in running the club.

"It is an important, symbolic gesture as we wish there to be very close contact with the fans."

Updated: 10:46 Thursday, March 27, 2003