CHESTERFIELD commercial director Phil Tooley has told York City's supporters NOT to give up after the news there would be no more football at Bootham Crescent from the end of the season.

Having gone through the hardships of trying to save the Spireites from extinction, Tooley has first hand experience of what is faced.

"I'm surprised at this but as the owners York City they can do what they like," he told the Evening Press.

"The League needs clubs to have a ten-year security of tenure, so this is bad news.

"I can only say to the supporters never stop trying. At Chesterfield we had bailiffs knocking on the door, a loan called in by our previous owner - we were hours away from going out.

"However everyone pulled together and came good."

Tooley knows City would struggle to find somewhere to ground-share, but the supporters showed look at the example set by Brighton and Hove Albion.

"One of the problems is the position of the club, they don't have another Football League club nearby. They are in a bit of an isolated area.

"But if they look at the example of Brighton, their ground was sold and they had to play at Gillingham, but they are back at Brighton now in the Withdean Stadium with 6,000 temporary seats.

"No-one should ever give up."

Tooley added: "Chesterfield will offer whatever support we can."

Updated: 10:32 Wednesday, January 09, 2002