FoBC latest: Report of launch day
Report of our first day's activities
The Friends of Bootham Crescent made their debut on Saturday 9 November 2002, before and after the home match with Leyton Orient. Our trusty volunteers braved the cold, and dished out the "Valuable Piece of Land" leaflet to supporters arriving and leaving the ground, and received an overwhelmingly positive reaction.
We estimate that of a "home" support of just under 3,000 people, well over 2,500 of them received leaflets. Most of those who didn’t were just folk that we missed, rather than people refusing one, and of all that we spoke to, only ONE gave negative feedback, suggesting that we were "troublemakers". (That represents about 0.03% for those of you statistically minded). Compare that to literally hundreds of comments of "well done", keep it up", and "thanks for making a stand". We were also delighted to hear plenty of supporters telling us that they have written their objection letter to the council, and many more who advised us that they are planning to do so in the next few days.
Quite a few well known names were recipients of the leaflet, including John Greenway, Alan Little and various members of the current playing staff. Super John McCarthy even rounded off his debut in fine style by autographing a leaflet for us! (see photos). Well OK, we have to admit he didn't actually tell us that he's written his objection letter yet, but it was the only piece of paper that Reg Hedge's 9 year old lad could find to get the great man's signature! Autographs of other players were acquired in a similar fashion. Presumably all the players have clauses in their contract forbidding them from publicly stating their support for this kind of campaign, but several of them did comment that they thought we were doing a good job.
Friends of Bootham Crescent's debut received a good deal of local media interest, including large features in the Yorkshire Evening Press, Yorkshire Post and ITV Teletext.
Yorkshire Evening Press - Fan's stand
Yorkshire Post - York fans plan to fight threat to Bootham
We are also very pleased to say that John Batchelor responded to FoBC very positively and promptly, following our request for a meeting with him, and we expect to have a meeting organised by the end of this week. We very much hope that this will be the start of a constructive dialogue with the YCFC board to ensure that the York City continues to have a suitable home in the City of York.
So, thank you to everyone who has given their support so far - we really appreciate it!
