FoBC latest
PRESS RELEASE - 9 November 2002
Friends of Bootham Crescent call for protest action
A newly formed group of York City supporters and local residents has added its voice to the controversy surrounding York City's future at Bootham Crescent, and is asking people to join them in a protest outside the ground after the FA Cup First Round match against Swansea next Saturday, 16 November.
The Friends of Bootham Crescent (FoBC) protest group has been formed to campaign for City to stay at the ground, their home for 70 years, at least until a viable alternative stadium has been approved and built. The move comes amid growing concern about the Persimmon planning application to redevelop the site into housing. Under the terms of the application, City could very well be homeless by the end of the season
Members of Friends of Bootham Crescent will be at today's home game against Orient, handing out leaflets which encourage every York City supporter to send a written objection into the City of York Council. The leaflet also invites fans to join in a peaceful but vocal demonstration against the actions of Douglas Craig and the board of Bootham Crescent Holdings outside the ground, after the crunch FA Cup clash next Saturday.
Key FoBC concerns about the future of both club and stadium include:
- the conflict of interest of individuals on the board of both Bootham Crescent Holdings and the football club itself
- The likelihood or otherwise of Mr Batchelor's suggestion that the Football Club themselves may purchase Bootham Crescent, and exactly how such a change of ownership would benefit the Club given that the money would come from ANOTHER third party"
- the precise nature of the "sponsorship" of York City by Persimmon, which was announced earlier this year
- the timetable for the Persimmons' planning application
- the prospect of being forced to play home games at the Ryedale Stadium - or another venue - next season
FoBC has already submitted their own letter of objection to the City of York Council, including a comprehensive dossier of information supporting their position.
The group are also keen to establish a positive dialogue with John Batchelor, as they draw up their action plan, and have already approached the City chairman to request a meeting.
Spokesman Ian Savage said "Fans are getting extremely worried about the wall of silence from the current club chairman John Batchelor, Persimmon, and the BCH directors. If, as they claim, there is nothing to hide, why are fans being kept in the dark? The longer questions go unanswered, the more likely it is that fans will feel suspicious and concerned. We don't want glib reassurances, we want answers. However, we do want to work with John Batchelor to resolve this if at all possible."
Friends of Bootham Crescent is an independent body, and not a part of the official supporters club or Supporters Trust, however they have indicated that they are hoping to work closely with both organisations in the coming weeks and months. "Friends of Bootham Crescent fully applauds the work already undertaken by the Supporters Trust, particularly in their stand against the Persimmon planning application" said Mr Savage. He went on to say; "we understand that the Trust is in a delicate situation concerning its relationships with the Football Club and BCH. FoBC however, is determined that we will ask whatever questions are appropriate to whoever we need to, to ensure York City has a permanent and acceptable home in the City."
Of the planned demonstration next Saturday, Mr Savage commented; "We would like to point out that our demonstration is against Messrs Craig, Swallow, Quickfall and Webb as well as Persimmon Homes – they are the ones who are planning to destroy our club for personal gain. Although we want to ask some searching questions of John Batchelor, our protest is NOT against him".
Mr Savage referred to the statement made by Douglas Craig a few days ago, which claimed that objections to planning permission on the Bootham Crescent site would be detrimental to the football club. "Friends of Bootham Crescent rejects those claims entirely. Granting planning permission at this time will guarantee only one thing; that our football club will have no home in the very near future."
Mr Savage also commented that the group would not rule out further direct action. "We hope to resolve the issues amicably, but ultimately we will take any action within the law which we consider appropriate to securing the home of York City".
Friends of Bootham Crescent can be found on the internet at www28.brinkster.com/fobc and can be contacted by email to .