YORK City Football Club's future today hangs by a thread.

The cash-strapped club, which announced record losses of over £1.2 million four weeks ago, is up for sale and may cease to exist by the end of February.

The club's board of directors are willing to see the club through to the end of the season but only if a new owner can be found.

The depth of City's financial troubles has stunned supporters who face the prospect of seeing their beloved club vanishing.

Who is to blame for the mess is not the issue today.

What everyone needs to do now is pull together and show solidarity, including those who have been campaigning to remove manager Terry Dolan after a string of poor performances.

Boycotting matches, as has been suggested by some supporters, will deny the Minstermen vital cash. It is crucial that fans get behind the team in one of the darkest hour's in the club's near 80-year history.

The plight of the team is secondary to the future of the club. Without the club there will be no team.

City's Supporters' Club have been quick to announce a special meeting for their members with a view to holding a public meeting in the new year. Everyone with City's interests at heart should attend that public meeting.

The Evening Press, as City sponsors, would be happy to consider involvement in a new trust to run the club. We believe strongly that football must have a future in York.

The people of York need to put on a united front to show any potential buyer that the club has support in the city.

Local businessmen with the club's future at heart need to ensure that a campaign to save City is co-ordinated. And that campaign needs to start now.

Although the future appears bleak, the opportunity is there to make a fresh start. Fans should grasp that chance they may never get another opportunity.