Ciao chow

12:23pm Saturday 23rd February 2008

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FOLLOWING on from the FA's example of appointing Fabio Capello as national coach, York City boss Colin Walker elected to go Italian this week.

As the England team looks to rebuild under Capello after an appalling Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, Walker decided pizza and pasta would prove the perfect pick-me-up for his players after last weekend's 3-1 loss to Histon.

Discounting penalty shoot-outs, the Histon result represented City's first defeat under Walker in his 18 matches at the helm since succeeding Billy McEwan in mid-November.

As a mark of appreciation for their efforts and to ensure team spirit was not upset by the loss, the City chief decided to treat his team to lunch at Luigi's in Northfield Lane.

He said: "Last Saturday was a real kick in the wotsits and, when we came in for training on Monday morning, the players were still a bit flat.

"Taking them for lunch was a way of saying: Listen, you have done really well in the 17 games prior to Saturday and this is a thank-you for that. Now, let's try to have another 17 games the same'. Pizza and pasta was on the menu and I had a lasagne."

Another form of team-bonding Walker regards as important are the huddles that have become a feature before and after games during his three-month tenure.

The City boss revealed his players share the responsibility of leading the pre-match rally cries and also explained the reasons behind the post-match group hug.

He said: "We actually have three huddles because we also have one in the dressing-room where we try to tell the players what we want them to do and send them out with our last messages.

"The players then have their huddle before kick-off and different people say their little bit every week.

"The two games we have lost we didn't have a huddle at the end but the purpose of that one is that when we do well, it is a reminder of how we have done well and to go and celebrate with the fans."

Nicky's double degree

NICKY Wroe is in strong contention to become the first winner of back-to-back Press Player of the Month awards this season.

The 22-year-old midfielder, pictured, was our man of the match during last weekend's disappointing 3-1 defeat at Histon to collect three points towards the monthly contest and our Player of the Year standings.

He also collected the two Player of the Month bonus points on offer to the winner of the most votes from visitors to our website, moving him level with Ben Purkiss at the top with one match to play, unless today's FA Trophy tie at Rushden ends in a draw.

Purkiss (two) and Darren Craddock (one) also picked up points towards both competitions as our second and third-highest rated players at Histon.

To be in with a chance of presenting this month's Player of the Month award, vote for your man of the match for any of City's forthcoming games by visiting our website www.yorkpress.co.uk

Press Player of the Year standings: Woolford 33 points, McGurk 27, Panther 19, Sodje 18, Elliott 16, Robinson 14, Kelly 12, Wroe 12, Purkiss 11, Farrell 10, Brayson 9, Brodie 9, Craddock 9, Evans 8, Parslow 8, McBreen 7, Lloyd 5, Hegarty 4, Rusk 2, Jones 1.

Press Player of the Month for February standings: Purkiss 8, Wroe 8, Lloyd 7, Woolford 5, Brodie 4, McGurk 4, Evans 2, Craddock 1, Parslow 1.

Goals: Farrell 14, Sodje 14, Woolford 13, Brodie 8, Wroe 7, Brayson 5, Elliott 2, Kelly 2, McBreen 2, Fortune-West 1, Lloyd 1, McGurk 1, own goal 1, Panther 1.

Assists: Woolford 14, Sodje 8, Brodie 7, Panther 7, Wroe 7, Brayson 6, Elliott 5, Farrell 5, McBreen 3, Purkiss 3, Robinson 2, Beardsley 1, Craddock 1, Fortune-West 1, Fry 1, Greenwood 1.

Bad boys: Elliott 1 red, 6 yellow; McGurk 6 yellow; Craddock 5 yellow; Panther 4 yellow; Brodie 1 red, 2 yellow, Robinson 1 red, 2 yellow; Brayson 2 yellow, Kelly 2 yellow, Parslow 2 yellow, Wroe 2 yellow; Beardsley 1 yellow, Fortune-West 1 yellow, Greenwood 1 yellow, Lloyd 1 yellow, Rusk 1 yellow, Woolford 1 yellow.

Ale and hearty

Ten real ales and two real ciders will be served at the Bootham Crescent Beer Festival on Sunday, March 16.

The festival, which is being held as part of the club's 75-year Bootham Crescent anniversary celebrations, will take place at three bars around the ground and run from noon into the evening.

Tickets will be available shortly and will cost £7.50 or £6 for York Minstermen members.

Included in that price are two pints, food and entertainment.

Springing to raffle rap

York Minstermen have launched their annual spring raffle with all money going towards the club's Centre of Excellence and York City in the Community departments.

There are a host of prizes, including VIP tickets for a City game, two County Stand badges at York Racecourse and a family ticket for any of the UK Dungeons.

Tickets will be handed out for selling and buying at forthcoming home games and the draw will take place at the supporters' group's May 1 quiz night at KitKat Crescent Social Club, while any money and stubs should be returned by April 29.

Raffle tickets can also be obtained by emailing ian@yorkminstermen.org.uk or call/text 07814 143593.

DVD treat

An interview with City boss Colin Walker is included in the second part of City's season's highlights DVD which will be on sale at the home match with Burton Albion a week on Tuesday. It costs £10 and contains 105 minutes of first-team and reserve action during December and January.