Wall for one and one for the wall

The scheme announced this week is part of a hat-trick of fund-raising ideas which could ensure a happy (wanderers) Christmas for York City fans.

For prices starting at £39.95, City's most loyal supporters can carve their own place in the history - and the future - of the club by having their name engraved on a brick.

Each one will have two lines of lettering with a maximum of 15 characters on each, including commas, spaces and hyphens. Black lettering costs £39.95 or gold lettering is £47.50.

Supporters will receive a certificate and an option to buy replica bricks for £29.95 in black or £37.50 gold lettering.

The bricks will be set on the wall next to the club shop and even though the club is moving in the near future, the Wall of Fame will be going with them, carrying the support through into the future.

Similar schemes across the country have proved immensely popular. Southampton introduced it ahead of their move to the St Mary's Stadium in 2001, Middlesbrough have their own Boro Brick Road and clubs such as Coventry City and Hereford United have also used the idea as a way to gain thousands of pounds in revenue and keep fans involved.

Messages include distances travelled to home matches, bricks laid in memory of lifelong fans and birthdates of newborns.

Marble corporate stones will also be available for businesses and special signature bricks will be available at an extra cost, price on application.

Leaflets incorporating order forms will be distributed in the coming weeks and all Wall of Fame bricks ordered before Christmas should be in place by the end of January.

Commercial manager Elliot Stroud said: "This is a really exciting scheme and we hope fans and local businesses will support it.

"All funds raised will go towards building a better future for York City Football Club and the initiative will ensure the names of the club's most loyal supporters will be immortalised forever."

In the second of the fund-raising ventures, Carrie Stockdale, sister of reserve goalkeeper David, is continuing the family affiliation to York Minstermen with an event aimed at the club's female fan-base.

Carrie, an independent Virgin Vie consultant, is hosting a cosmetics and jewellery night at the York City Social Club on November 23.

She said: "There have been some great events which have raised thousands of pounds for York City, but none of them have been aimed at women.

"This party gives ladies who support York City and other ladies from the local area a super chance to sample and buy an exciting range of cosmetics, toiletries and jewellery in a fun atmosphere."

And the night will not be exclusively for the ladies either. Male fans wanting to treat their football widows will also be welcome - and the bar will be open throughout.

Everyone who goes along will be entered into a free prize draw to win a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates, and party-goers will go into a second draw for every £30 they spend for a chance to win goodies from the Virgin range, Argos gift vouchers or more chocolate.

If any further incentive was needed, York City will benefit from purchases made.

Added Carrie: "Gentlemen are also more than welcome to come along and select a special present for the lady in their life. I'll be providing a complimentary gift-wrapping service, so they can be sure of giving someone a very special gift this Christmas."

Frank Ormston of York Minstermen said: "Last season, David Stockdale helped club funds by auctioning the gloves he wore on his international debut too, so it's brilliant to see Carrie getting involved as well.

"This party will appeal to women and men, whether or not they support York City, and we look forward to welcoming them to the York City Social Club, where the bar will be open throughout."

The party will be on November 23 from 7.30pm. Anyone who cannot make it but would like to place an order can visit www.virgincosmetics.com then contact Carrie on 07771 574943 or email carrie.stockdale@ntlworld.com to make sure City benefit.

Finally, York City's iPod-owning fraternity can now combine their love of music with that for the Minstermen by accessing iTunes through the www.ycfc.net website.

Every time an order is made through the 'download music' link, City will pocket a small percentage of the profit.

Brain teaser

York Minstermen are holding a sports quiz at the York City Social Club on Thursday with cash and beer prizes.

There's also an open the box competition with £40 up for grabs and the star raffle prize is a signed Mark Convery shirt.

The bar opens at 7pm and the quiz kicks off at 8.30pm.

Ouch, it's Pouts in a blast from past

Congratulations to a national newspaper for having the least up-to-date library archive in football.

Listings for Tuesday night's aborted live Sky match included a picture of a key City player, renowned for his creativity...from the last century.

They used a picture of Geordie midfielder Alan Pouton, now at League One Gillingham, to illustrate the Conference clash some six years since he transferred to Grimsby for £150,000.

Fans Grays and enthused

The son of a 93-year-old Grays Athletic fan has written in praise of York City after a great day out last Saturday.

Dudley Parker brought his Leeds-based dad - a fan of 80 years - to the cup clash after liaising with commercial manager Elliot Stroud to get tickets in an accessible area.

As well as offering thanks to Stroud and to the City season ticket holder who offered to switch seats to give him more leg-room, he expressed his appreciation to the City community for making them feel welcome in the social club and throughout the game.

He said: "Although the result did not go York's way, we both detected the strong beat of a real community-based club in touch with its fan base and providing a much-needed social fabric to your city.

"We both wish the club well and applaud the work of the Supporters' Trust in its efforts to develop the club and bring League football back to York."

Adding insult to cup injury

York City were dealt another one of football's great hands of irony this week.

After tumbling out of the FA Cup care of Conference leaders Grays Athletic and then having their Sky Sports platform washed out by torrential rain, they must have been delighted when Sky announced they would be screening the second round FA Cup clash between Mansfield and Grays.

Updated: 09:40 Saturday, November 12, 2005