COULD things "turn out nice again" for York City? Performer Paul Culkin certainly hopes so.

Ukulele maestro Paul, of Granville Terrace, York, has penned a special anthem in the hope of saving the beleaguered football club, in the tradition of his hero, George Formby.

He is hoping the catchy tune could provide a battle cry for fans and potential buyers, as it urges the whole city to "save the Minstermen".

"The chorus just came to me shortly after I heard about the sale of the club, and I wrote most of the song in one night," said Paul.

"I go back quite a long way with York City; I remember the good times and the not-so-good.

"We've lost so much in York, like old pubs and the old cinemas, that it would be a tragedy to lose the club, too." Paul, twice a winner of competitions held by the International George Formby Society, uses the song to remind listeners of the club's glory days.

It also includes the line:

"To action we are rousing,

Say 'no' to yuppie housing,

And save the Minstermen."

The Save City Committee, which is aiming to secure the club's survival, is pondering ways to get it distributed as a "fans' anthem".

Committee spokeswoman Sophie McGill said: "We are really pleased that supporters are and being so innovative in their attempts to help.

"Our marketing group is looking at distributing song sheets or tapes to help raise funds."

The committee wants to gauge interest in producing the song. If you would be interested in getting a copy, email the following address:

nick.hallissey@ycp.co.uk

..........................

Save York City

We've been proud members of the football league since 1929

It's not been roses all the way

But we've had some glory days.

And now the wolf is at the door

This could be the end.

Prepare for stormy weather

It's time to pull together,

And save the Minstermen.

Chorus:

Save York City, save the Minstermen

It would be a pity if we never cheered the red and blue again

Save York City, preserve the dream

York is quaint and pretty but it wouldn't be a city

Without a football team.

When we reached the semi-final in 1955

Arthur Bottom and Sid Storey

Led us on to glory.

The whole town came alive

But now the Crescent's on the line.

It's harder now than then

The future's in our hands.

It's time to take a stand

And save the Minstermen.

(Chorus)

*Billy Fenton, John Macphail

We may never see the likes of them again.

Unless we save York City

Save the Minstermen.

When we won the play-off final in 1993

For glory we were steering

The whole of York was cheering

The Crescent was the place to be.

But now we're in deep water

We may not rise again

To action we are rousing

Say "No" to yuppie housing

And save the Minstermen.

(Chorus)

*John McCarthy, Jimmy Seal,

We may never see the likes of them again

Unless we save York City

Save the Minstermen.

Updated: 11:49 Thursday, January 17, 2002