THE son of a York City legend wore his father's shirt with pride during a rollercoaster day of celebration and reunion.

A crowd of 850 watched as Matthew Walwyn grabbed two goals during yesterday's York City's Past Players Festival.

Matthew, 13, is the youngest son of City legend Keith Walwyn, who died last April.

Big Keith was the star of the 1983-84 Division Four championship-winning team, scoring an impressive 25 goals for the team, which racked up a record-breaking 101 points.

Yesterday the 1983-84 team lost 6-4 to the 1993 play-off winning side, but Blackburn Rovers academy player Matthew scored two goals for the losers as he took his father's place in the side.

Keith's widow, Liz, said: "It's been a hard and emotional day, but I was so proud of Matthew. Just seeing him run out in his dad's shirt like that was amazing and playing the way he did - his dad would have been so proud of him.

"I would like to thank John Byrne (Keith's striking partner in the 1983-84 side) for looking after Matthew and really taking him under his wing. Keith would have loved that.

"I have a lot of fantastic memories of York and it was lovely to see everyone again. I also want to thank the fans for all their support."

The event was set up by Graham Bradbury to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 101-point team, to celebrate the fact that the club is staying at Bootham Crescent for the foreseeable future and to raise some much-needed cash to help pay off the £60,000 costs involved in the abortive Huntington Stadium plans.

Director of communications, Sophie McGill, said: "We are absolutely delighted with the turn-out. We would have been happy with 500, but it was great to see so many people here.

"But most of all, it was absolutely tremendous to see all those great players back here at Bootham Crescent.

"It will be a big contribution to the £60,000 needed for the Huntington Stadium costs, especially when combined with the takings from the club shop, where there were people queuing up outside for the 25 per cent sale, the grand raffle and the bucket collections before and during the game."

The exact figure will be known later this week, but it is hoped more than £5,000 will have been generated.

For the fans, it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see two of the best ever City teams in action against each other, with several other legends also appearing.

Fred Hemenway, 79, has been a season ticket holder at Bootham Crescent for 15 years and has supported the Minstermen since 1930.

His favourite York City team was the 1954-55 cup semi-final side but he said it was great to see the 1983-4 and 1993 teams going head to head.

"It was very entertaining," he said. "It was played in the right spirit and it was good to see them back."

Season ticket holder Dean Cuthbert, 26, said: "I've been supporting York for 14 years and had a season ticket for three and it was great seeing them all back. I remember the play-off winning side. I have got the shirt from that season to prove it and I'm hoping to get a few autographs."

How the teams lined up:

1983-84 season: Joe Neenan, Chris Evans, Alan Hay, Malcolm Crosby (player-manager), John MacPhail, Nigel Costello, Derek Hood, Matthew Walwyn, John Byrne, Brian Pollard, Iain Dunn, Marco Gabbiadini, Alan Kamara, Dave McAughtrie.

1993 season: Bobby Mimms, Andy McMillan, Wayne Hall, Steve Bushell, Paul Stancliffe, Paul Atkin, Jon McCarthy, Glenn Naylor, Paul Barnes, Ian Blackstone, Tony Canham, Tony Barratt, Chris Jones, Dave Spofforth.

Other players - some took part: Ricardo Gabbiadini, Chris Topping, Jimmy Seal, Phil Burrows, Graeme Crawford, Sid Storey, Gordon Brown, Roy Kay, Norman Wilkinson, Mick Granger, Dave Dunmore, Alan Woods, Alf Patrick.

Updated: 16:05 Monday, March 08, 2004