AS ENGLAND laboured to a 2-0 victory over Azerbaijan on Wednesday night, probably the best choice for an evening's entertainment was made by the 319 people who attended the Happy Wanderers' FA Cup semi-final 50th anniversary dinner.

Normally an avid follower of Sven's men, I was certainly privileged to listen to the memories of players from City's most famous team at York Racecourse and the night was a success thanks to the hard work and organisational skills of Graham Bradbury.

Particular highlights for me were watching the dazzling footwork of Sid Storey on the big screen's Pathe news footage then listening to the oldest member of City's class of 1954/55 answer Jon Champion's question about whether he thought about missing out on Wembley every day.

"No, I just think about living every day," laughed the 86-year-old former Minstermen playmaker.

Alf Patrick's cheeky claim that had he been fit and played against his old club for Scarborough then City's run would have ended after just one match was another memorable moment.

Champion brought all his professional ITV commentating skills to a series of excellent interviews with former players Mick Grainger, Norman Wilkinson and Gordon Brown also providing spell-binding insights into the Happy Wanderers' success.

Back on the big screen, former chairman Hugh Kitchin, now in his 90s, gave a fascinating interview from his York home and audio messages from absent Happy Wanderers' Tommy Forgan and Arthur Bottom were also relayed to the audience.

Their thoughts and Pathe news footage from the cup run are included in an excellent commemorative DVD, which is now on sale for £10.

Copies can be ordered by calling the club on 0870 7771922.

Probably the most striking feature of the night though was the down-to-earth players' modesty at the part they played in the club's most amazing achievement.

Despite being real heroes, there was not an ego in sight with many of the team having held down day jobs as miners, cobblers, draughtsmen and storemen while going so close to playing under the Twin Towers.

I was lucky enough to be seated next to the family of Ernie Phillips, who recounted several more tales to me from 1955 during the night, and organiser Graham Bradbury can also be proud of the smile that broke out on the face of the Happy Wanderers' captain's widow every time her husband was mentioned or pictured on the newsreel.

Perhaps don't bother inviting Lord Mayor Janet Looker to future events though or, at least, prevent her from giving a speech.

By her own admission, she had little appreciation of the team's achievement and her comment to the surviving players of: "It's good to see so many old footballers - and let's face it you are very old," was as insensitive as it was unnecessary.

A few words from current boss Billy McEwan might have provided a far more fitting tribute although David Meek, the son of former Evening Press City writer Wilf, gave a well-delivered speech later on.

Updated: 09:11 Saturday, April 02, 2005