FoBC latest: 25 Nov Press Release
Friends of Bootham Crescent to hold planned demonstration on the pitch!
Friends of Bootham Crescent (FoBC) have announced a significant change to the arrangements for their demonstration against the board of Bootham Crescent Holdings (BCH) at the FA Cup match at home to Swansea.
Over the weekend, the group have been in discussions with John Batchelor, and members of the York City Supporters Trust board after financial worries were raised. "According to Club officials, North Yorkshire Police had apparently indicated to them that our original protest planned for outside the ground after the game could have required a significant number of extra officers to attend," explained Ian Savage, FoBC spokesperson. "This would have generated an additional bill for a considerable amount of money, which would, ironically, have been charged to the football club not to BCH against whom the protest is directed! We do not wish to further jeopardise the already perilous financial state of the club, but are aware that fans are determined to voice their feelings. We put these points to John Batchelor, who has therefore agreed to our alternative suggestion that the protest now take place on the pitch at half time. We are delighted that John recognises FoBC as a legitimate fans' voice and that we have valid points to make about the ownership of the ground."
The group will now be allowed onto the Bootham Crescent pitch at half time, to make a statement and release 93 black balloons – to symbolise the number of dwellings which will be built on Bootham Crescent should Persimmons Homes’ pending planning application be successful.
"We now hope that supporters will bring along flags, whistles and horns, to make as much noise as possible during and after our demonstration," Savage commented. "We have been overwhelmed by the amount of feeling out there against what BCH are trying to do to our football club; now the people have the opportunity to make those feelings known legitimately, inside the very ground which Mr Craig and his fellow BCH directors want to see demolished. In many ways, staging the protest on the very pitch threatened with development is all the more relevant and poignant."
Savage also revealed that they were still hoping that one or more celebrated former players would join FoBC, and release the first of the balloons.
FoBC representatives will also read out a prepared statement over the tannoy to clarify their aims to supporters. Although the exact content of the statement has not been released, it is thought that the group may make an impassioned plea to Bootham Crescent Holdings to "do the right thing" by offering to sell the Bootham Crescent site to the Supporters Trust at an affordable price without claiming any extra profit.
Savage was keen to dispel any suggestions that the protest may cause an unwelcome distraction for the players. "Admittedly, this was one of our considerations when we originally planned our demonstration for afterwards" he commented. "However, our protest is limited to half time, and all of our representatives will be giving the lads 100% support while the game is in progress. We really do encourage as many people as possible to cram into Bootham Crescent and to support their team with all their passion. We also encourage everyone who feels strongly about the way BCH and its directors have acted, to similarly show how much they care during the interval. Local and national media, including television cameras will be in attendance – its our chance to show the watching world that we won’t just sit back and let our football club die."