YORK City manager Martin Gray is hoping to build closer relationships with the club’s supporters at tomorrow’s Open Day.

The gates at Bootham Crescent will be thrown open to members of the public from 10.30am and, for the first time, City fans will be able to watch the club’s annual photo call take place and witness a first-team training session.

All members of the squad will then be available to sign autographs and pose for photographs, while there will also be a bouncy castle, face painting and other attractions.

City’s new kit, meanwhile, will be available for sale in the club shop and there will be a licensed bar in the Keith Walwyn Lounge, along with hot and soft drinks served in the 1922 Bar.

On the importance of the improved fan-friendly Open Day, Gray said: “We had the Golf Day this week which was a fantastic event and it’s great to meet people who support the club. The Open Day will be all about families coming together, as mine will be, with a chance to get close to the players.

“It’s all part of what we are trying to do as a club and (sporting director) Dave Penney is doing a great job in that respect. He wants everybody to feel part of the club and we have to understand people’s frustrations because building relationships is important.

“In the modern game, it’s all too easy to get in your cars and shoot off after matches, but community is everything at a club like ours and we have to embrace that.”

Flamingo Land, meanwhile, have agreed to be the main sponsors of the York City Supporters’ Trust’s Legends match at Tadcaster Albion on Sunday, August 5.

Further details and tickets for that event are available from www.ycst.org.uk/legends-match