FRIENDS and foes Mark Samways and Andy Warrington are keeping up the City tradition of top net-minders.

The duo traded places seven days ago when the 29-year-old Samways replaced the 21-year-old Warrington in the green shirt for the visit of Walsall.

Samways' Saturday comeback ended an 11-match hold on the number one slot enjoyed by Warrington after the older custodian was injured at Blackpool almost three months ago.

It was always likely that Samways would be back, but his return was hastened by the 7-2 battering at Burnley, the only game in Warrington's tenure where the youngster was occasionally at fault.

But while Samways' restoration also coincided with a clean sheet Warrington should not be written off, insisted York boss Alan Little.

"It is Samways' greater experience that is the big plus in his favour. That's the big difference between the two," said the City boss.

"He has that self-confidence in his own ability and now that he has established himself here after a time at Scunthorpe in oblivion.

"But Andy Warrington is also a recognised first-team 'keeper. We have two good 'keepers and that maintains the tradition we have had recently.

"There was Chris Marples and Dean Kiely, and we also got the best out of Tim Clarke before we got Samways in."

ONE-TIME City Intermediate number one Nick Culkin is keeping the flame alive in his quest to secure a career at Manchester United.

The 20-year-old goalkeeper, who moved from Bootham Crescent to Old Trafford 28 months ago, is currently starring for the Red Devils' young brigade in a major youth tournament in Italy.

In a high-class opener against the legendary Santos club from Brazil Culkin kept a clean sheet, United winning 1-0 to head a group also featuring teams from crack Italian sides AC Milan and Parma. If they finish top of their group United will go into the quarter-finals and the initial week could stretch to a fortnight should they go all the way.

Culkin, who moved in a £100,000 deal to United after just a handful of appearances for City inters, is a regular in United's 'A'-team. He has another year of his contract to run and is reckoned to be making an extremely sound impression on the United hierarchy.

THE next few weeks may see another City to United move, this time involving striking speedster Jonathan Greening.

The 19-year-old is one of several Manchester United fans currently on the Bootham Crescent club's books. As he revealed in the club programme's 'spotlight' on him he hails Alex Ferguson's ranks as 'the greatest team of all'.

And rather prophetically as he gazed into the future with the hope of a lengthy career, he added: "perhaps one day with Manchester United." Watch this space.

RATHER more in the way of wishful thinking was the 'discovery' made in the Evening Press library this week.

While searching for action photographs of Michael Owen, youngest England international this century, the Liverpool ace's file was not in the national football section.

Realising that he had featured at Bootham Crescent in an England under-18 game 16 months earlier a hunch led fingers to the files of City players. And there the said photographs were found in an envelope headed: "Michael Owen - York City player." Re-arrange the following words: only, if.

DUVET or not duvet. That is the question only City fans can answer.

Staff in the club shop are pondering whether to order a new line of duvets and matching curtains, complete with City crest.

Commercial assistant James Richardson said there had been some interest, but not enough as yet to be stirred into acquiring the new stock.

So if any supporter wants want to dream of City success swathed in club covers then awake from your slumber to tell the club.

Among definite new lines are sweatshirts, plus a tee-shirt proclaiming the "United colours of York City".

For those supporters eager on finding out about scoff in and around the 92 League clubs the newly-published Colman's Football Food Guide is also for sale at the City premises.

THERE will be no knockout glory for City this season.

Despite losing just one game out of their four group matches in the inaugural Pontin's League Cup City reserves were pipped to the vital qualifying first place by Barnsley.

City gained seven points from two games apiece against Barnsley and Newcastle. But the unbeaten Tykes notched eight. Bottom of the group were the Magpies who totalled just one point from a lone draw with Barnsley, who now go into the quarter-finals.

A BLOOMING good night is guaranteed at the Bluebell Inn at Alne next Thursday when it is the venue for the Towton v Tholthorpe supporters' clubs' challenge comprising darts, dominoes and a quiz. The contest starts at 7.30pm.

TICKETS are still available for the club's sportsman's dinner at the York Viking Moat House on Monday, February 23.

The guest speakers are England's 1966 other World Cup final scorer Martin Peters and comedian Barry Williams. Compere for the evening is David Kendall. For details ring director Brian Houghton, tel York 489193, or club secretary Keith Usher, tel York 624447.

COMMENTS on all that's good - and bad - about City's match-day programme are now invited to be submitted to programme compiler James Richardson at the club shop.

TRAVEL Club trips south include the February 28 outing to Brentford departing at 9am at £15 for TC members, (£17 for non-members) and to Wycombe four days later on Tuesday, March 3 leaving Bootham Crescent at 2.30pm with the same prices applying.

A family coach is also going to Brentford at 8.30am at £14 for Junior Reds and parents, the cost including admission to the game.

FANCY having your say on City matches? Then enrol for the Evening Press 'Red Eye' slot published alongside each match report. For details call James Richardson at the club shop, tel York 645941.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.