However, York City is not just another small club struggling financially. Given that it has one of the highest wage bills in Division Three the Club has made significant losses over the past few seasons. However, the bank overdraft is small compared to many other lower division clubs.
The 'killer blow' is the proposal by the directors (who also happen to be the key shareholders, with 94% ownership) to sell the Club's home to the highest bidder for around £5 million before the end of March 2002. The Bootham Crescent site is prime development land in a city with booming property prices. Not only have Douglas Craig and his fellow directors announced that they intend to quit the Club, but the Club must quit its home of the last 70 years and, if it survives, find somewhere else to play in the 2002/03 season.
The key issue is that the money from the sale is not being reinvested in a new ground for York City. Instead the money will be pocketed by Craig and his fellow directors. The directors appear to have 'sidestepped' certain FA rules. This week Craig sits on the arbitration panel that is deciding whether the owners of Wimbledon can move the club to Milton Keynes.
Save City campaigner Pete Brandon said, "The actions of the directors are not in the best interests of York City Football Club. We risk losing our club."
City, who this Saturday face Premiership millionaires Fulham in the FA Cup 4th round, have an 80 year history of great cup adventures.
Brandon added "It is very important all fans stand together at times like these. This is not just about York City. It is about asset strippers threatening the survival of clubs up and down the country. The FA is supposed to be the guardian of the English game. But what are they doing? If the FA won't show they care, the fans will."
There are fears that owners of other clubs may copy the actions of Craig such that assets are sold off to benefit individual shareholders at the expense of football clubs and their local communities. This could lead to a domino effect whereby in the next few years several Football League clubs could disappear.
The Fans United Day promises to be a celebration of how football fans can set aside their rivalries and unite for the good of the game.
Further details of the fans struggle to save their club can be viewed at http://www.saveyork.co.uk