THE controversy surrounding Roy Keane's book finally brought a response from the Football Association this week, who charged the Manchester United captain with two counts of bringing the game into disrepute.

At first glance, the FA's decision has little to do with York City and Bootham Crescent.

But to me it merely fosters a growing disenchantment with the guardians of the game that was first realised when the 'Save City' campaign was at its peak.

Keane's lunge on Manchester City rival Alfe Inge Haaland was abhorrent and the FA do have some sort of duty to send out a warning that such a challenge has no place in the game.

But is it really a surprise to learn Keane went out to 'get' the Norwegian international? Anyone who witnessed it at the time could see that.

And in any case, has he not already been punished for the actual offence?

Whatever your thoughts on Keane, it has taken the suits at the FA almost two weeks of 'umming and ahhing' and god knows how many top-level meetings in their swanky Soho headquarters before finally deciding he must be charged.

Now cast your mind back to February and March of this year when the future of a football club and the hopes and dreams of thousands of fans hung in the balance.

The silence emanating from the FA headquarters was deafening.

A personal e-mail from myself to FA chief executive Adam Crozier asking for words of reassurance from the FA was never given the courtesy of a reply.

And when City supporters marched through the streets of London to hand over a 5,000-strong petition asking for an investigation into the proposed sale of the club and Bootham Crescent no FA official was on hand to receive it.

The best the FA could come up with was akin to a nervous cough; an article - City were not mentioned by name but the club's crest was featured - tucked away on their website outlining the rules regarding the ownership of clubs.

It confirmed the directors of Bootham Crescent Holdings had done nothing illegal in separating the football club from Bootham Crescent.

But the fans already knew that. The point was the rules were flawed and needed changing.

Compared to City's then plight, Keane's misdemeanours are but a storm in a tea-cup and their repercussions on the game as a whole are of far less significance.

It is no thanks to the FA then that City's future is now more secure.

When the chips were down the game's governing body refused to get involved and preferred to keep their hands clean.

It appears image is more important than reality at the FA, who only take their heads out of the sand when there are headlines to be had.

LITTLE more than a week after manager Terry Dolan lifted the manager of the month award and the York City Supporters' Trust is also keeping its fingers crossed for a major accolade.

Supporters Direct, the Government-funded organisation that helps fans' bodies get up and running to take a stake in their clubs, is set to announce its 'Trust of the Season' winner next week.

The City Trust has submitted a sizeable document summarising the first six months of its existence and detailing the success of the 'Save City' campaign run in conjunction with the Evening Press.

Supporters Direct have already asked representatives of the Trust to speak at the London conference that precedes the awards ceremony on September 12.

They have also selected the City Supporters' Trust as a case study on how to run such a body.

Trust Board member Steve Beck said: "We are hopeful that York City can pick up another award as further recognition of the massive achievements of the City fans over the course of this year."

There are now more than 50 separate Supporters' Trusts in the UK and all are expected to be represented at the conference.

The event is also being attended by speakers such as Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and Professor Derek Fraser, chair of the Independent Football Commission.

THE seaside beckons for City in this season's North Riding Senior Cup.

Traditionally part of City's pre-season schedule, the competition has now moved to later in the season.

The Minstermen, who actually competed in the competition twice last year as the new dates ensured an overlap and lost on both occasions to Middlesbrough, will take part in this year's competition before the end of January.

City have been drawn away and will play either Whitby Town, of the UniBond League, or Scarborough and District League outfit Edgehill in the semi-finals.

FORMER York City striker Colin Addison has been appointed the new boss of Conference outfit Forest Green Rovers.

Addison, who last season was in charge at Swansea and also had a spell in the Scarborough hot-seat, takes over from Nigel Spinks, the one-time Aston Villa goalkeeper who was sacked after five successive defeats.

Addison, 62, was once assistant manager at Atletico Madrid, arguably Spain's biggest club behind Barcelona and Real Madrid.

As a player with the Minstermen he also earned City a record fee when he moved to Nottingham Forest in 1961 for £12,000.

THE Harrogate Minstermen, formed as a supporters' club little more than six months ago, is fast approaching a membership of 70.

Seven new members enrolled at the group's latest club night, staged at the Board Inn, Knaresborough, where City skipper Chris Brass was in attendance.

As well as talking about life as a professional footballer, Brass drew out the winning ticket in a prize draw for a framed City shirt signed by the England Under-21 squad.

The winner was Harrogate Minstermen member John Uttley, with ticket number 801-805.

Updated: 11:14 Saturday, September 07, 2002