FOOTBALL'S brotherhood of fans are signing on together amid the on-going uncertainty over the future of Bootham Crescent.

An on-line petition has been set up by concerned City supporters which is again calling on the Football Association to enact its own rules.

The way in which Bootham Crescent Holdings was established to circumvent FA Rule 34 (b) has been well documented by the Evening Press.

Earlier this year, City supporters delivered a 5,800 strong petition direct to the FA's Soho headquarters.

It called on the game's top brass to investigate the then proposed sale of the club and the side-stepping of the rule which was designed to prevent shareholders from making a profit on their original investment should a club be wound up.

The hand-over of that petition was snubbed by the FA but organisers of the new internet-based protest are determined to keep pressing the game's governing body.

So far, almost 1,200 supporters from clubs across the country have signed the petition, which can be accessed at www.petitionline.com/ycfcasfa/petition.html

Organiser and lifelong City fan Dave Wallace, who is also owner of the popular www.yorkcityfc.com forum, explained the reasons for setting up the new petition.

"The City fans who went to London to present their petition received incredibly shoddy treatment from Lancaster Gate and, as I understand it, have never actually received a proper official response to it," he said.

"This petition broadens the issue somewhat and could be said to be more inclusive as it calls on the FA to ensure that all its rules apply to all members.

"Another important point is that Bootham Crescent is far from dead, and as yet no 'superior stadium or facility' exists in York and so the battle continues to ensure City has a home.

"I urge everyone to sign the petition and support every effort that is being made to protect our City's future.

"The resignation of Adam Crozier may bring with it a breath of fresh air through the corridors of Lancaster Gate, giving hope to York, Wimbledon and other fans who have been so cruelly ignored and disregarded by the Crozier administration."

Wallace, 38, who lives in Wollongong, Australia, said he is now investigating the possibility of entrusting the petition to the region's MPs or alternatively the petition can also be delivered in electronic form to the FA.

HOT on the heels of Jon McCarthy's return to Bootham Crescent, another two-time winner of the Clubman of the Year award was spotted at City this week.

Defender Barry Jones was a surprise visitor to the club on Monday, although any suggestion the former Liverpool player was here to talk over a permanent return can quickly be dispelled.

Jones, now plying his trade with Southport in the Nationwide Conference, was simply in York with his family and decided to say hello to some familiar faces at the club.

Updated: 10:44 Saturday, November 02, 2002