DON'T take it the wrong way, says Sophie McGill, but next week she will be performing live - with only a partial strip.

No, not striptease. By partial strip, the communications and community director for York City Football Club means she will be wearing the famous red shirt with skirt, rather than strip shorts, when she sings in Tuesday's sell-out In At The Deep End corporate concert, at York's Grand Opera House.

Sophie will be performing for JM Packaging, of Malton, where she is sales manager, belting out Stand By Me.

It could not be more apt, given that key City players let her down. She was hoping to get striker Clayton Donaldson, reputedly a good singer, to

perform at the concert, where York businesses each pay £500 for the dubious privilege of putting up talented employees after one rehearsal.

But the concert, which has the business community buzzing, falls on Donaldson's birthday, and he has made other arrangements.

So Sophie stepped in to the breach at the last minute. "I don't sing regularly," she said. "Only in the shower, or on special occasions.

"We don't have a game this weekend, so it gives me the opportunity to get in some secret practice, with the help of my Ben E King tape, but don't expect a dark horse."

On the other hand, she is determined if she does get the top prize of £3,000 for the charity of her choice, the money will go towards a sports project, such as helping to expand the club's youth policy.

If anyone wants to see Sophie in action, she has some complimentary tickets left. She can be phoned on 01653 691500.

A special concert website has been set up at www.thedeepend.co.uk, so the public can study the form for the 22 entrants taking part.

Updated: 10:31 Thursday, February 02, 2006