York's Trust finds life difficult

York City's Supporters' Trust has reported a loss of £10,178 for the year ending June 30, 2005. This compares with a surplus of £11,940 in the previous year.

As a result of the reduction in income, the Trust's donations to the football club during the year ending June, 2005 fell from £42,531 to £36,087.

Trust membership also decreased from 2,044 on June 30, 2004 to 1,364 a year later.

The financial impact of that drop was countered by the addition of 53 new life members but still amounted to nearly £1,500.

Referring to the loss of members, the Trust's financial statement, compiled by Robinson & Co chartered accountants, said: "As the experience of other Supporters' Trusts has shown, membership levels can decline after the apparent urgency of an initial crisis. While disappointing, it was not surprising that there was a reduction in the number of Trust members in 2004/2005."

The statement also praised City fans' fundraising efforts since the £500,000 collected as a rescue package in 2003 but reiterated the need to continue and improve a vital income stream for the club.

It said: "In addition to `normal' income streams such as gate receipts and merchandise, in the past three years City's supporters have donated around £700,000 for the benefit of their club - a remarkable achievement. Going forward, it is important for fundraising efforts to be maintained and developed further."

There were calls for a supporters trust at Hereford several seasons ago. An initial meeting approved the idea but it still failed to get off the ground.

The call for a trust came at a time when finances at Edgar Street were at an all time low.

---