EVERY school pupil in York is being offered an unforgettable football experience, after education bosses agreed to subsidise trips to Wembley for York City FC’s biggest game in years.

City of York Council has pledged £10,000 to help schools run buses to the FA Trophy Final on May 9.

The Minstermen face Stevenage Borough in the final, looking for their first ever success in a national cup competition.

It is only the second trip City have made to Wembley, following their memorable 1993 Division Three play-off victory over Crewe Alexandra.

Pete Dwyer, the council’s director of children’s services, said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for children from York to see their local football team compete on a national stage.

“It will be an exciting and memorable cultural experience for them, and we are keen to ensure that as many children as possible have the chance to go along.”

Every school-pupil in York aged 16 or under is being offered a chance to go, but places are limited to 1,000 and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Mr Dwyer called on local businesses and other groups to also back the move, saying: “We hope that this funding will kick-start the campaign to ‘Get York to Wembley’.”

The council has teamed up with the football club to offer 1,000 children a special £28 ticket, which will give them travel to and from the capital and a match ticket in the school groups section at Wembley.

The deal is open to all children aged 16 or under.

All those who take up the offer will also be given a mini-season ticket by York City, giving them free entry to any five home league games next season.

Sophie Hicks, the football club’s director of community and communications, said: “It is a great community gesture from the city council.

“To give local school children the opportunity to obtain subsidised travel to the new Wembley is a really positive move for the city.

“As a football club, we want to encourage the next generation of support, and hopefully the children who enjoy the amazing Wembley experience will become long-term supporters of the club.”

Information about the offer has been circulated to schools across York.


Springing into action to spread Wembley information

YORK City has been ensuring as many people as possible know how to get to Wembley.

Stilt-walkers attracted curious shoppers in the city centre yesterday as they handed out leaflets with information on how to buy tickets and organise coaches.

York City community coach Dan Palmer said: “We had 1,000 leaflets and they all went within half an hour.”