YOU turn up at a game hoping to watch your heroes in action but are plucked from your seat to play a starring role.

It's every young football fan's fantasy, a real Roy of the Rovers story, but Ben Ballantyne has lived his dream.

Teenager Ben, a qualified referee despite his tender years, may have been spotted at Bootham Crescent before, helping out during the regular half-time penalty shoot-out competition.

But on Tuesday night, 15-year-old Ben took an even more prominent and unlikely role.

With fourth official Martin Robinson forced into action midway through the first half of City's home clash with Wrexham to replace referee Mark Clattenburg, who had injured his back, the match officials suddenly found themselves one man short.

Experienced referee Colin Fawcett, who usually takes charge of the half-time shoot-out contest, would normally have come to the rescue but was feeling unwell and so suggested his young protg was the ideal candidate.

An appeal for Ben to come forward was put out over the tannoy and the youngster, who was watching the game from the Popular Stand, was then asked to take on the role of fourth official for the night.

Ben, from Dringhouses and a pupil at Oaklands School, admitted he was gob-smacked to be elevated to such an important role.

His duties included holding up the electronic board which shows how much added time will be played and overseeing a number of second-half substitutions.

"It was a bit of a shock to be honest and I was a bit nervous," he admitted.

"But I went into the referee's room at half-time and they explained to me what I had to do.

"It was a brilliant experience and I really enjoyed it."

The youngster qualified as a referee some two years ago, deciding to take the course alongside his dad.

Ben regularly officiates local games but admits his brush with the professional game has inspired him to try to reach the top.

Hammer to fall for City Trust

THE hammer is about to fall on a wide range of football and sporting memorabilia, raising funds for the York City Supporters' Trust.

Later this month, the Trust will stage it's long-awaited auction, with the vast majority of items up for grabs collected during the Save City campaign earlier this year.

No doubt the item that will be of most interest to collectors will be a Brazilian shirt signed by Ronaldo.

However, a number of other signed shirts, including one by Ryan Giggs, and a range of sporting goodies will also go under the hammer.

The date for the auction has been set for Thursday, November 28, and will be staged in the City social club.

City chairman John Batchelor has agreed to be the auctioneer.

Because the club has a limited capacity, the event will be by ticket only.

Admission prices, which are likely to include a free drink, have still to be decided, but tickets will be available from the social club before and after City's next two home games.

A full list of all the items to be auctioned will be published by the Trust soon.

FORMER City midfielder Kevin Hulme has joined UniBond League premier division strugglers Hyde United. Hulme was one of the first signings made by Hyde's new boss Gordon Hill, the former Manchester United and England star.

ANOTHER player from the Hulme era, Martin Reed, has recently joined the exodus from cash-strapped Gateshead. The North East club, who are also struggling in the UniBond Premier, have imposed several wage cuts in light of financial problems. Reed has now signed for Whitby Town, who currently lie in fifth place.

YORK City Ladies had a wasted journey last weekend when their game at North Ferriby was called off 20 minutes before kick-off. A waterlogged pitch forced the postponement, but the team had already made the trip to Humberside. The ladies will be hoping for better luck tomorrow when they travel to face Bradford City.

Updated: 12:50 Saturday, November 02, 2002