YOU CAN do it - that's the reassuring message being sent to the York City Supporters' Trust by a government-backed organisation aiming to give fans a greater say in the running of their clubs.

As revealed in yesterday's Evening Press, the Trust are hoping to take over control of the Minstermen from current chairman John Batchelor.

Talks are on-going but with Batchelor admitting he is willing to relinquish control it could be just a matter of days before the fans' body owns the club.

However, it is only when the Trust finally takes formal control that the hard work to safeguard City is expected to start.

In the short-term, the club's mounting financial problems will have to be addressed while, taking a more long-term approach, it is still not clear as to whether City will be able to continue playing at Bootham Crescent next season.

Despite the daunting tasks that lie ahead, Supporters' Direct insist there is no reason why City fans cannot rise to the challenge.

Dave Boyle, caseworker at Supporters' Direct, said clubs like Chesterfield and Lincoln had previously been rescued from extinction by supporters' trusts.

"Those clubs just would not exist today without their trusts and there is no reason why the York City Supporters' Trust cannot do the same," he explained.

Boyle said Supporters' Direct would be on hand to offer help and advice to the Trust as it looks to put City on an even keel.

"The Trust and its very talented members will be best placed to make those decisions about anything that needs to happen at York City," said Boyle.

"But because we have assisted trusts at other clubs in similar situations then we should be able to tip them the wink as to who they should speak to.

"We won't be able to be hands-on at York City, but we will be able to help those at City do their hands-on job better.

"We will be on the end of a telephone to offer what help and advice we can and in many ways we will serve as a library or resource base for the trust."

Boyle, who played an important role in helping to get the City Trust established earlier this year, added: "We can put them in touch with supporters who have done similar things and the York City Supporters' Trust will be able to learn from other people's mistakes.

"If they need a word putting into the Football League on their behalf, or if a subject needs to be raised in the House of Commons or with ministers, then we can certainly use our clout."

Boyle reckons the biggest problems all trusts face are financial.

However, he maintains trusts are better placed to attract funding than individuals.

"What we found at places like Lincoln and Chesterfield are that people are almost sick and tired of football clubs making appeals for money," said Boyle.

"However, when a trust is involved the fact they are a non-profit organisation, democratically elected by supporters ensures people are more confident to put money in."

Updated: 12:12 Wednesday, November 20, 2002