THE plight of York City Football Club is set to be raised at the highest levels of the game.

Speaking at last night's meeting, Malcolm Clarke, who is chairman of the fans' watchdog the Football Supporters' Association, pledged to raise the issue at a meeting of the Football League, the Football Association and the Premier League on January 14.

Clarke, who together with the National Federation of Supporters' Clubs meets regularly with the football's top brass, said: "It is not a meeting that will make any decisions.

"But it will send out the message to likes of David Burns at the Football League and Adam Crozier at the FA that the FSA are monitoring the situation and that will help concentrate matters."

Clarke revealed he had spoken to Burns, chief executive of the Football League, at the weekend.

"It is certainly clear he has been having several telephone conversations with Douglas Craig," said Clarke.

Urging City fans to be positive, he said: "You need heart, that is certainly true.

"But in my experience it is not only heart you need but also skills and there are far more skills and abilities among supporters than you will find in the average boardroom.

"You have nothing to be afraid of and supporters across the country will be with you."

Updated: 09:10 Tuesday, January 08, 2002