YORK City legends Chris Topping and Graeme Crawford have led the tributes to former team-mate Dick Hewitt, who has died at the age of 74.

Hewitt, who passed away after suffering an aneurysm, made 106 appearances and scored nine goals between 1960 and 1972 for the Minstermen.

He is best known in these parts for the late goal that set the scene for Paul Aimson’s dramatic subsequent equaliser in a 3-3 FA Cup home draw against first-division Southampton - still regarded as one of the most-thrilling contests ever witnessed at Bootham Crescent.

That match was one of 43 Hewitt played in the 1970/71 season, as City secured promotion from the old fourth division under Tom Johnston when the South Elmsall-born inside-forward also netted four times.

He left for Scarborough two seasons before Johnston’s team went on to make history by reaching the second tier, but both Topping and Crawford believe Hewitt could have made the step up in grade with them if he had been handed the opportunity.

Topping, who is third in the Minstermen’s all-time appearance list, said: “Dick had a lovely left foot and, although he didn’t head the ball too much because he was quite slight, he also took good free kicks and corners.

“He was part of the Tom Johnston jigsaw because, even though Tom couldn’t coach to save his life, he knew how to put teams together and Dick slotted in nicely on that left side. He was also from a hard-working area and that was reflected in the way he trained and played.

“He always got a good sweat on and he was skilful enough to play in the second division. I’m sure him and Phil Burrows would have both been good down that wing if they hadn’t left before.

“As a person, Dick was quiet and a very nice, unassuming person. I’m sure he was a very good parent, because he was very calm.”

Crawford, meanwhile, revealed that it was Hewitt’s affable personality that played a major part in the then Sheffield United keeper’s decision to make his loan switch to Bootham Crescent a permanent move.

The Scotsman would go on to become one of the most highest-rated net-minders in City’s history, equalling a Football League record when he kept 11 consecutive clean sheets in the old third division.

Had it not been for Hewitt, though, Crawford’s stay in North Yorkshire might not have lasted beyond the initial month agreed.

“I used to travel in from Sheffield with Dick and Paul Maloney, who were also based in South Yorkshire and Dick was influential in getting me to come to York, because he was so friendly and helpful,” Crawford revealed. “Sometimes, when you go out on loan, it can feel strange, but I always had a laugh and a joke with Dick and he helped me settle in.

“Football wise, he had a great touch and could always put a good ball in. He was exceptionally skilful.

“He could do something different for the team and his end product was always good. He could have made that step up to the second division, because he had lots of ability.”

Hewitt also played for the England Boys Clubs’ XI against Scotland, Wales and Ireland and, after moving from first-club Huddersfield where he didn’t make the breakthrough at first-team level, he made a name for himself at Bradford City and Barnsley, who sold him to the Minstermen for £400.

After leaving City, he went on to play for Scarborough in two FA Trophy finals at the old Wembley stadium, beating Wigan 2-1 in the 1973 semi-final.

He later ran the Seadogs’ reserve team and worked as a telephone engineer before running the Duchess pub in Scarborough until his retirement in 1999.

His 2pm funeral is on Monday, October 23 at Woodlands Crematorium in Scarborough with the wake being held at North Cliff Golf Club afterwards.

Elsewhere, Jon Parkin jumped to the top of The Press Player of the Year and Month standings after his two-goal display in last weekend’s 2-1 home win against Brackley.

The 35-year-old striker collected three points as our man of the match from the game and an extra two for the Player of the Month contest after receiving the most votes for the same honour in our internet poll.

Parkin has now jumped over Josh Law on the Player of the Year leaderboard.

Recalled attacker Aidan Connolly (two) and Dan Parslow (one) were also rewarded with points for their efforts as our second and third-highest performers respectively during the 2-1 victory that saw Martin Gray’s managerial reign get off to a winning start.

The Press Player of the Year standings: Parkin 13, Law 11, Newton 10, Worsnop 10, Whittle 9, Almond 8, Parslow 7, Heslop 6, Morgan-Smith 5, Bencherif 3, Rankine 3, Connolly 2, Moke 2, Smith 1.

The Press Player of the Month standings for October: Parkin 5, Connolly 2, Parslow 1.

Goals: Parkin 8, Newton 4, Heslop 3, Morgan-Smith 3, Rankine 2, Almond 1, Felix 1, Law 1, Own Goal 1, Parslow 1.

Assists: Almond 7, Morgan-Smith 4, Parslow 4, Newton 3, Parkin 3, Felix 1, Heslop 1, Whittle 1, Worsnop 1.

Bad boys: Bencherif, Heslop both one red card, one yellow; Wharton, Worsnop both two yellow; Newton, Smith both one yellow.