News archive - February-June 2004

11 June 2004 - details of Bootham Crescent deal revealed

The Friends of Bootham Crescent (FoBC) today welcomed the deal which secures the rightful home of York City FC for the coming ten years. The group also congratulated the York City FC board and everyone else who has helped to broker this very complicated deal which helps to safeguard the future of YCFC.

Spokesman Ian Savage said "Throughout last season York City faced the threat of eviction from Bootham Crescent. A very complicated series of agreements with a number of parties appear to have been made which will secure the long term future of York City and where they will play.

"We are pleased that the City of York Council has agreed to work with the football club by helping them to find a suitable location to build a new ground.

"Although FoBC is disappointed that York City will be vacating Bootham Crescent in ten years, the group has always stated we would accept a move away only to a new home superior to Bootham Crescent. We fully expect a new ground would fulfil this wish. We also hope this new stadium will have easy access and excellent transport links and urge the Council to ensure these issues are addressed when working with the club to find a suitable location".

FoBC urge the major shareholders in Bootham Crescent Holdings (BCH) - Messrs, Craig, Webb and Swallow, and local house builders Persimmon Homes - to plough some of the massive profits they are making from this deal back into the football club. This would help to defray the costs of the interest payment on the loan; a payment that amounts to rent to stay at a ground that the Club once owned and for which the