APOLOGIES for quoting Norwich City chairman Delia Smith, but the statement seems somewhat apt in light of my experience at the last couple of York City games and City's continuing financial plight.

Having travelled with my seven-year-old son twice within a week from Tyneside to take in the Tamworth and Forest Green games, I have to say the attendances are still very disappointing, even taking into account the small away following at each tie.

City at times this season have played some terrific football and are bang in form with four wins on the bounce. With ten games to go it is all to play for.

The York and the surrounding area boasts a population far in excess of towns such as Preston, Reading or say Norwich, for example, yet adding another 800-900 souls through the KitKat Crescent turnstiles and, moreover, keeping them seems bound to defeat by community apathy.

City have a great manager in Billy McEwan and a genuine opportunity to re-claim their Football League status over the coming two months - and take a lot of heat off the beleaguered Supporters' Trust.

I call upon the fair-weathers, casuals and occasionals to make haste down to the Crescent for one last push.

Come on, let's be 'aving you then....!

M A Chappell,

Monkseaton,

Whitley Bay,

Tyne & Wear.

Updated: 10:20 Saturday, March 04, 2006