University challenge

A student branch of the fans' body has now been established at the University of York as part of an attempt to awaken campus interest in the struggling football club.

The new arm of the Trust has been established by students Tom Sheffield, James Brown and Richard Price.

The trio's commitment to the Minstermen cause comes despite the fact they do not originally hail from York.

Tom, chairman of the student branch, is from Torquay, James, who is the society's secretary, is from Edinburgh, and Richard, who serves as vice-chair and treasurer, is from Belfast.

Tom, 20, a third-year archaeology student, explained how his passion for City was triggered.

"I've been going to City games since my first year and I guess I've just really got into supporting them over the years," he said.

"Richard and I went to the recent recruitment night organised by the Trust at the Social Club to sign up and we suddenly realised there was absolutely nothing on campus to say York City were in severe financial trouble.

"There was nothing to advertise the club or its plight and most first years will not even know where the ground is.

"We thought we might be able to get more people involved and get more people to come to the games."

Within two weeks of being established and formally ratified by the university's Students' Union as a society, the student branch of the Trust has already signed-up some 50 students.

Plans are now afoot to publicise City and the Trust around campus, organise get-togethers before home games and possibly arrange away-trips in the future.

"I've been delighted with the response," said Tom. "It took a while to get it off the ground but we are now getting five or six new members a day."

It is now hoped scholarly support for the Trust and club will be further bolstered by forging links with fellow City supporting students studying at York St John College.

Sophie McGill, of the Supporters' Trust, welcomed the students efforts to raise awareness of the club's plight and drum up new support.

She said: "We are delighted students at the University of York are getting behind the Trust and are really grateful for the efforts of Tom, Richard and James for starting the ball rolling.

"For too long there's been little or no encouragement given to the massive student population in York to get down to Bootham Crescent to support the club.

"There really is an untapped army of fans out there on campuses in the city and, hopefully, this is the start of a long and successful recruitment drive."

Anyone interested in getting involved in the new student branch of the Trust should e-mail Tom at SOCS416@york.ac.uk for further details.

SUPER Jon McCarthy has promised to make another return to York City.

The Minstermen legend is now plying his trade with Division Three rivals Carlisle United after his return to Bootham Crescent at the end of last year proved short-lived.

However, the Northern Ireland fan favourite has clearly not forgotten his roots and has pledged to attend next month's Supporters' Trust Dinner, which aims to raise funds for the fans' body.

McCarthy looks set to be joined by around 30 ex-City players, including the likes of Steve Tutill, Norman Wilkinson, Phil Burrows, Tony Canham Wayne Hall, Andy McMillan, Alf Patrick, Jack Pinder, Chris Topping, Graeme Crawford, Jimmy Seal and Chris Jones.

A number of other players from yesteryear have been contacted in the hope they will be able to attend.

ITV commentator and City fan Jon Champion will host the event with David Kendall.

It will be staged in the Voltigeur Suite at York Racecourse on Wednesday, March 5, with tickets for the event, which includes a five-course meal, costing £30.

For tickets and further details contact Graham Bradbury on (01904) 708330 or email gram.bradbury@virgin.net

Any ex-players who would like to attend the event are encourage to contact Bradbury on above number.

A FUND-RAISING inter-club link-up between City and York City Knights is set to go ahead next month.

Proving it really is good to talk, a question and answer session and general sporting debate featuring a host of York rugby and football stars will be held at York Acorn, in Thanet Road, on Thursday, March 27.

Former BBC Radio York sports presenter Alistair Yeomans, now with Radio Five, will host the night with Steve Ferres, chief executive of the Knights, Paul Broadbent, Knights' head coach, joined by City boss Terry Dolan, skipper Chris Brass and former Minstermen legend Gordon Staniforth.

The night of lively debate will kick-off at 7.45pm and with a 15 minute interval is expected to run until 9.30pm, although the bar will remain open until 11pm.

A raffle and auction of sporting goodies will also be held.

Only 200 tickets, priced £3, are available and can be obtained from behind the bar at the Acorn, the shop at Bootham Crescent and from Robson & Cooper in Lendal, York.

With Acorn providing the venue for free, all the proceeds from the night, organised by John Tattersall of Acorn Running Club, will be split between both clubs.

For further details, Tattersall can be contacted on 01904 703067.

THE Supporters' Trust banked an unexpected £190 this week.

City commercial manager Peter Salter donated a signed City shirt, ball and pennant to be auctioned at the recent York Against Cancer Valentine's Ball.

The lot went under the hammer for £380 with the charity generously deciding to split the proceeds with the Trust.

BOOTHAM Crescent will play host to representative football next week.

An Association of Northern Counties Women's match between a North Riding Ladies FA XI and their East Riding counterparts kicks-off on Thursday, February 27 at 7.30pm. Admission to the game is free.

CONGRATULATIONS and praise must go to man in black Steve Baines, who did a superb job refereeing last Saturday's televised encounter between City and Hartlepool.

Baines, the only former Football League professional player now serving as a referee, showed plenty of common sense in a tense derby duel and didn't brandish one yellow card.

Unfortunately, this will be Baines last season on the list with age forcing his retirement.

AS City and Hartlepool failed to break the deadlock last Saturday there was a veritable pre-match goal-fest enjoyed by the supporters of both clubs.

The Yorkie Bars, the City supporters' team brought together by the Internet, played their Hartlepool counterparts prior to the main event and ran out comfortable 5-1 winners.

The Bars goals were bagged by Tom Oxley, Chris Sutherland, Alex Beddingham, Dave Ward and Pete Prokop

CHRIS Brass has opened up a formidable-looking lead at the top of Evening Press player of the year rankings.

Another man of the match display against Hartlepool and three point haul from the City skipper has left Brass some seven points clear with 14 games remaining.

His nearest challenger, Chris Smith, earned a point at Pool to remain on the coattails of Brass.

The remaining two points on offer last Saturday were picked up by goalkeeper Michael Ingham.

Brass 32 points, Smith 25, Duffield 22, Fettis 22, Parkin 19, Nogan 17, Cook 13, Edmondson 12, Cowan 11, Fox 7, Potter 6, Reddy 6, Beresford 5, Brackstone 5, Ingham 3, Bullock 3, Hobson 2, Shandran 2, Jones 1, Wise 1

Updated: 10:12 Saturday, February 22, 2003