York facing stadium D-day

York hope to get the go-ahead for their new 8,000-seat stadium from the city council's planning chiefs on Friday.

The club's planning application for the York Community Stadium will be heard by the City of York Council and Minstermen director Sophie McGill has urged supporters to "turn up in your droves". McGill said: "We've been waiting a long time for this. "Without a new stadium York City Football Club will not exist in its current form. "If this project is delayed further, at best we could be expelled from the Football League for sub-standard facilities and at worst, we could be forced to sell Bootham Crescent due to the expiry of the loan agreement and will be left homeless, which will lead to the closure of the club. "The Community Stadium provides a sustainable future for the club with the increased commercial opportunities it offers. "It makes good business sense and will be hugely beneficial for the people of York. "Our message to the fans is simple. We need you more than ever, so please turn up in your droves and show the City of York Council just what it would mean for this planning application to be approved." The proposed new 8,000-seat stadium will be adjoined by leisure facilities including a gym, 25-metre six-lane swimming pool, a fun pool and training pool, as well as a new sports hall and dance studio. The development will also provide bespoke facilities for the project partners with a focus on promoting health and well-being for York residents and visitors. The Minstermen plan to share the stadium with rugby league club York Knights, while the development will create around 200 jobs. The club's current ground, Bootham Crescent, which has been home to York since 1932, will be sold for housing development.