10:10am Saturday 13th February 2010
By Dave Flett
AWARD-WINNING comedian and long-distance York City supporter Richard Herring will hold a benefit gig at Bootham Crescent Social Club this Easter.
Herring, whose ‘Hitler Moustache’ show sold out at the Edinburgh Festival and is earning rave reviews on tour, has offered his services for free on Wednesday, April 7, meaning all proceeds from the £9 tickets will go towards ensuring the survival of the Minstermen’s under-funded youth team.
Pocklington-born Herring left Yorkshire for Bristol at the tender age of four but, as a teenager, decided to support his home-town club even though he only attended his first game – last season’s FA Trophy final – as a 41-year-old.
At the height of his fame, Herring and comedy partner Stewart Lee produced a “York City Are Magic” sketch for their irreverent 1990s’ Fist of Fun show on BBC2.
It can still be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=mba1sse8BP0 and, when asked if he felt this season’s achievements could be explained by a greater force, the London-based, Oxford graduate said: “The startling form and sensational run do suggest the club may have somehow gained the support of some magical force.
“My guess is Voldermort above Potter and, being 1-0 up at Stoke, almost convinced me that we definitely had. But luckily the spell wore off.
“I am delighted that they are having the success that the club and city deserve. We shouldn’t have been in the Conference for so long and I’m hopeful we can escape. That would certainly be a rabbit pulled out of the hat.
“I’ve always been proud of my Yorkshire roots and, as a boy, I supported Leeds United mainly because they were doing well but, when I was about 13, I decided it was more honourable to support the club nearest to where I was born even if they were **** so I plumped for York City.
“My friend Toby now keeps me updated on their progress by text.”
Herring will watch his first match at Bootham Crescent when he is a VIP guest during the home clash with Altrincham on Easter Monday.
“I am anticipating with some delight what being a VIP at York City might entail,” he admitted.
“It will be great to finally get to see the arena of so many disappointments – and the very occasional success.”
With manager Martin Foyle having reversed the club’s fortunes since last May’s disappointing 2-0 defeat to Stevenage at Wembley, Herring is also hopeful of witnessing his first goal and win as a City supporter.
He added: “Wembley was a disappointing showing for both club and fans and, unluckily, I was in the toilet when we had our one decent attack. It’s the only time I have seen York play live and they didn’t disappoint – they were just as crap as they have been when I’ve followed them on Ceefax or the internet.
“I can remember in 1999 when we were in a relegation battle on the last day of the season and I was rehearsing a TV show so asked somebody to keep an eye on all the scores. When we started the run through, York were staying up but in the next half-hour all the results had changed and we were down.”
Herring confesses that football is not “one of my top interests” but added that he will be thrilled to join the battle to save City’s under-18 team.
“It’s great to help the club out in whatever way I can,” he said. “I think it is time to pay York City back for all the years of disappointment they have given me, by coming to disappoint the people of York for one night only.” Herring, who is still sporting a Hitler moustache, will use material from his latest critically-acclaimed act, aimed at reclaiming the Charlie Chaplin ’tache for comedy, while adding memorable excerpts from previous shows.
In the past, he has also contributed to the creation of Steve Coogan’s legendary Alan Partridge character and worked as a script editor for Little Britain.
On Herring’s visit, event organiser James Waterson said: “Richard has used the good name of York City Football Club as the butt of his jokes for many years.
“I got in touch and suggested that since the club had provided him with so much material it’s about time he paid us back with a gig.
“To his credit, he immediately agreed. Tickets are only £9 and Richard has offered his services for free, meaning every single penny of the ticket price will go towards ensuring our successful youth team can continue for another season.”
Sarah Andrew, chairman of the youth team’s fundraising committee, added: “It’s absolutely brilliant that someone such as Richard is willing to take time out to play a gig on our behalf. We really appreciate it.”
Tickets can be bought online at www.wegottickets.com/event/71309 Payment by cash or cheque can also be made during the week at City’s club shop or from the supporters’ office on match days. Doors open at 7pm and the show will start at 7.30pm.
Mackin to double up for award repeat
LEVI Mackin is targeting a second successive Press Player of the Month award after jumping to the top of our February standings.
January winner Mackin won the two bonus points on offer to the player polling the most man-of-the-match votes from visitors to our website after last weekend’s 1-0 win at Kettering.
He also earned a point towards the contest as our third-highest rated player at Rockingham Road.
Our man-of-the-match Luke Graham (three points) and Michael Ingham (two) were rewarded for their efforts as well.
Mackin has now moved up to joint-fifth place on the Press Player of the Year leaderboard.
To be in with a chance of presenting the next Player of the Month with his prize on the pitch at a City home game, register your man-of-the-match vote for forthcoming fixtures on thepress.co.uk The Press Player of the Year standings: Brodie 30 points, McGurk 29, Rankine 18, Ingham 17, Ferrell 15, Mackin 15, Parslow 15, Lawless 14, Purkiss 13, Barrett 12, Sangare 12, Graham 9, Meredith 9, Gash 6, Carruthers 5, Smith 4, Boyes 2, Nelthorpe 2, Mimms 1.
The Press February Player of the Month latest standings: Mackin 4, Graham 3, McGurk 3, Ingham 2, Parslow 2, Rankine 2.
Goals: Brodie 27, Rankine 7, Gash 6, Barrett 3, Pacquette 3, Carruthers 2, Sangare 2, Smith 2, Ferrell 1, Lawless 1, Purkiss 1.
Assists: Lawless 9, Brodie 7, Rankine 6, Smith 5, Ferrell 4, Purkiss 4, Barrett 3, Carruthers 3, Meredith 3, McGurk 2, Sangare 2, Parslow 2, Gash 1, Graham 1, Ingham 1, Mackin 1, Nelthorpe 1.
Bad boys: Brodie 10 yellow cards; Ferrell 8 yellow cards; Meredith 1 red card, 5 yellow; Mackin 6 yellow; Barrett, Lawless, McGurk all 4 yellow cards; Carruthers, Ingham, Rankine, Smith all 3 yellow cards; Graham 2 yellow cards; Pacquette 1 red card; Gash, Nelthorpe, Parslow, Sangare all 1 yellow.
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