IMAGINE Rangers and Celtic, AC Milan and Inter or Brazil and Argentina not playing each other for seven years and then meeting for one last contest to decide who was the greatest.

That is the eagerly-awaited prospect currently consuming two rival football teams in Clifton, who want to end all uncertainty and arguments by proving, once and for all, which side is the best.

Corner House and Clifton Hotel may have disbanded as Sunday morning outfits back in the 1990s but both sets of players continue to claim superiority over the other.

So on Sunday at Rawcliffe Recreation Ground one of the most fiercely-competitive derbies in York will be held for the final time.

Corner House's Gary Sullivan could face his brother Graham in the match.

Graham is among the Clifton Hotel substitutes and one of the few players who has emulated the likes of Alan Smith, Denis Law and Luis Figo and played for both bitter rivals.

"He has kept that one quiet from me but all family connections will go out of the window," Corner House match organiser Gary said. "It is probably the most intense and passionate derby ever staged on a local level.

"Tension has been simmering for years until now but enough is enough. It will be like stags locking horns.

"Let's bring it on. Local pride is everything and defeat is not an option."

Previous meetings leave the honours fairly even between the two teams although Clifton Hotel had the upper hand in later years and won the last encounter 2-0 in 1998.

And Hotel captain Darren 'Jonah' Jones is expecting an even more comprehensive victory on Sunday.

He said: "Both teams are a similar age and quite a few players will be coming out of retirement for the match but I think we are definitely fitter. I've already made a prediction that we will win 4-1. We will even score an own goal for them.

"It might be seven years since our last match but every time we see each other in town the players are at each others' throats so this will decide who really is the best."

Both teams grew up in the same area with Corner House's players hailing from just two streets - Rowntree Avenue and Burrell Avenue.

The bond in both camps is therefore strong and neither side is expected to relent in their pursuit of a defining victory.

Kick-off will be 11.30am and a big crowd is expected for the match sponsored by the Red Pyramid Motor Company.

Champagne corks will then be popped or sorrows drowned at the Marcia and, later on, in the Punch Bowl, Micklegate.

FOR THE RECORD

Corner House

1986/87: John Smith's League Division Six runners-up, 1987/88: Unbeaten Division Five champions, 1989/90: Division Four champions, Mecca Trophy winners, 1991/92: Division Three champions, John Smiths Cup semi-finalists, 1992/93: Division Two runners-up.

Also winners of the York Football Mundial Six-a-Side League and Cup in the tournament's first two years.

Clifton Hotel

1992/93: Division Six champions, 1993/94: Division Five runners-up, 1994/95: Division Four champions, 1995/96: Division Three champions, 1996/97: Division Two champions, 1997/98: Division One runners-up, John Smith's Cup winners, Mecca Trophy finalists.

Corner House (from): Andy Sullivan, Graham Foster Vigors, Wayne Robson, Mick Colley, Gary Sullivan, Kev Wilkinson, Steve Johnson, Pete Wrigglesworth, Gary Lonsborough, Graham Boyes, Stew Greenwood, John Colley, Paul Cooper, Matthew Woodcock, Paul Dunn, Wayne Carter, Pete Sinclair, Simon Craig, Danny Cocker.

Clifton Hotel: Kevin Clancy, Darren Jones, Jonathon Pickering, Neil Harrison, Simon Reilly, Steve Marshall, Steve Haddon, Dave Peacock, Andy Hynes, Mick Atkinson, Stephen Paylor. Subs: Dave Fogg, Craig Dillon, Neil Griffin, Mike Haddon, Richard Train, Graham Sullivan.

Updated: 10:49 Thursday, April 14, 2005