FoBC latest: 3 May press release
Friends of Bootham Crescent Face the Future
The Friends of Bootham Crescent (FoBC) have broken their silence on the issue of the proposed move to Huntington. Following recent talks with some of York City’s new Board of Directors, FoBC revealed that they had seriously considered the option of campaigning to raise funds to "buy back" Bootham Crescent.
Spokesperson David Allison explained: "The price tag of several million means raising the necessary funds would not, we thought, be possible in the tight timescale available. BCH could sell the club back to the fans at the price they paid, but I’m afraid pigs will fly before that happens, particularly as Persimmon now own shares in BCH and would also expect to be reimbursed. It is understood that BCH have already rejected sizable offers out of hand."
Allison said: "Having explored these options, FoBC have accepted that the move to Huntington is the only option in the present situation. We are therefore calling on all parties involved to help work towards a brighter future for the club."
"There were many positive and exciting plans put forward for the redeveloped stadium. The new Board made it clear to us that they are confident of it being a success. We also received strong assurances from the Board that the running track will be moved to a place that is acceptable to the Athletics community, and that the new ground will have all the facilities expected of a modern football ground, including provision for terracing."
Whilst looking to the future, FoBC remind fans that they are keeping to their original aims. "We formed as a group to protect Bootham Crescent, which remains a viable stadium meeting football league requirements. Friends of Bootham Crescent will remain committed to protecting our ground until fans are fully confident that a new stadium at Huntington is acceptable as an alternative. "
Allison added, "Our work over recent months has shown that the proposed redevelopment will affect a wide range of people. Everyone should make sure that the planning authorities hear their views. We encourage all sections of the community to become involved in the proposed decisions and we remind York residents that the Persimmon application is still open for comment. We believe around 1,600 objections have been received. This remains an issue for the wider York community."
"We understand that fans are understandably wary. The last 15 disastrous months saw so many promises by John Batchelor that were never fulfilled. No one will ever forget what Douglas Craig and John Batchelor did to our Club, but the time has come to look to the future and fight for a better Club," said Allison."FoBC will be playing their part in fighting for that future and will be announcing a major new campaign soon."