YORK City chairman John Batchelor has vowed to swap the boardroom for the terraces when ever possible after standing with the fans at Macclesfield Town.

Batchelor declined to take a seat in the directors' box at Moss Rose on Saturday, preferring instead to stand with the 700 City supporters on the terraces.

And the City supremo, who also donned one of City's new shirts for the occasion, has pledged to make his fan-stand a regular occurrence at away games.

"At home matches it maybe more difficult because I have to be in the boardroom to welcome guests," he said.

"But at away games I am not particularly interested in meeting other directors, I would rather hear what our customers have to say and they had plenty."

Batchelor praised the tremendous turn-out from the City supporters.

"It was absolutely fantastic that they made such an effort," he enthused.

"I thought Chris Smith had a wonderful game and if we can get that sort of attitude from everyone in the team we won't have any problems."

Updated: 11:50 Monday, August 12, 2002