York City saviour Beck steps down

York City's first "fan" chairman Steve Beck has resigned as Supporters Trust representative on the club board.

Beck played a key role in saving the club when City went into administration in December 2002 and almost folded.

He became chairman in April 2003 when the newly-formed York City Supporters Trust bought the club to save it.

Beck, who will stay on as Supporters Trust chairman, told BBC Radio York: "I'm still the same person as has supported the club for 40 years."

The lifelong fan was thrust into the limelight six years ago when City hit a financial crisis in the wake of the collapse of ITV Digital.

I wish everyone at the club much success in going forward

York Supporters Trust chairman Steve Beck

A price tag of �4.5m put on the ground by former chairman Douglas Craig did not help, and chairman John Batchelor was unable to stave off the crisis.

Six years on, Beck emphasised that there was no specific reason for his decision to stand down from the Board, saying it was simply the time for a change.

He admitted that "the stresses and strains" of the job had to be considered given some recent health problems, along with the requirements of making a living.

Beck added: "I intend to continue attending matches regularly and I wish everyone at the club much success in going forward."

Current club chairman Jason McGill thanked Beck for "the positive contribution he has made to the club Board over the years as youth development and fans liaison director".

Beck added that a new Supporters Trust representative to sit on the club Board should be proposed in the next month.