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News archive - August 2003

16 August 2003


At the gates of Persimmon's new development: 'Hands off Bootham Crescent' banner displayed in style on smart new railings. Photo: Daley

Patience with Persimmon finally ran out on Saturday, with still no sign of a response to FoBC's open letter to the company.

We organised our first piece of direct action against Persimmon, by disrupting the grand opening of their latest showhome on Lawrence Street. About thirty City fans descended on the site shortly after 10.00am and stuck up posters and banners clearly proclaiming the message, "Hands Off Bootham Crescent".


The flag on here used to say something about togetherness and building a home. Our own flag reminds them what we think about them wanting to build on ours. Photo: Daley

The master-stroke was the realisation that we could easily attach a banner to one of Persimmon's monstrous flagpoles, making a very dramatic picture for the assembled media.

Window dressing at Olympian Court. Photo: Daley

Passing drivers tooted their support. Bus drivers stopped their buses and took leaflets. Some people arriving for the official opening turned round and walked away when they saw the protest.

The majority of people involved were first-time protestors, but they soon got into the swing of things, quickly organising a game of football on Persimmon's manicured lawn because, as one fan said, "they want to build houses on our ground, so there's nowt wrong with us playing football on theirs".


Testing out the lawns with a nice game of football. Photo: Daley

Worried Persimmon staff called in managing director Ian Hessay, who attempted to rip down the banners. When that failed, he called the police, who didn't turn up until after the protest had finished. Hessay apparently spent the rest of the morning telling York City directors they had to stop the protests.

Later in the day, two policemen came into the Bootham Tavern to warn people not protest any more and to falsely claim that Persimmon had made a large donation to keep the club going.

This was FoBC's first piece of direct action, but it certainly won't be the last. Mr Hessay should realise that only Persimmon itself can stop the protests and the direct action - by withdrawing its application to build on Bootham Crescent and stepping aside to allow the ground's rightful owners to take control once more.

Frank Ormston


Photos: Daley

The railings at Persimmon's Olympian Court, decorated with our Hands off Bootham Crescent banner. Photo: Daley

Evening Press report - City fans protest at Persimmon site
PROTESTERS fighting for the survival of York City's football ground took their campaign to the doorstep of the developer they say threatens to destroy it. More

14 August 2003

Evening Press - City fans step up fight to save stadium
A YORK City supporters' pressure group is stepping up its campaign against Persimmon Homes' plans to build houses on the club's Bootham Crescent home. Friends of Bootham Crescent have handed in a 2,000 signature open letter to Persimmon's York headquarters. More


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