YORK City fans will soon have chance to deliberate then nominate.

Voting forms for supporters to select their Clubman of the Year will be available at the turnstiles at City's next three home games, against Plymouth (March 31), Halifax (April 14) and Cardiff (April 21).

The award will be made on the final Saturday of the season, May 5, when Kidderminster Harriers will be the visitors.

The Billy Fenton Memo-rial Award is the most prestigious of the Minstermen's end of season gongs.

Voting figures always remain a secret but this year could prove a tight affair as City threaten an end of season flourish.

Supporters certainly won't be spoilt for choice. City have used a record-breaking 37 players - with Mike Basham still set to make his debut - this term.

And if the likes of Richard Cooper, Nick Richardson and Lee Nogan had arrived earlier in the season then they would be serious contenders for the glittering prize, now in its 28th year.

Instead, the award must surely go to more ever-present names.

Last year's winner, Barry Jones, will want to become the first player to lift the award for a third time.

However, while he is in a rich vein of form, it is probably a case of too little too late for the defender.

Top scorer David McNi-ven has also seen his early-season hopes hampered by a lack of consistency, while Colin Alcide could stake a late claim if he maintains his current renaissance.

But there are probably only three genuine contenders - Alan Fettis, Matt Hocking and Steve Agnew.

Fans will no doubt have their own views but it would be a surprise if the winner of this year's trophy does not come from the three mentioned.

Whatever the outcome, the award allows City fans a ready excuse to remember one of the club's brightest lights.

Left-winger Billy Fenton was one of the most eminent of characters during the memorable 1950s.

In his first season at City he notched 31 goals to shatter the club's 20-year-old scoring record.

A key member of the side that went all the way to an FA Cup semi-final replay against Newcastle United, he was on target in the victories over Blackpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

All told, Fenton scored 124 goals - the third highest tally in club history - in 279 League and cup appearances.

Tragically he died at the young age of 46 in 1973, at the end of which season the trophy that bears his name was first presented.

HE WAS only on the field for six minutes but debutant Chris Brass made an immediate impact against Lincoln City last Saturday.

Having just arrived at Bootham Crescent 48 hours earlier, Brass helped set a club record by becoming the 37th player used by City this season.

The previous record had stood for just a few weeks, following Richard Cooper's loan arrival from Nottingham Forest.

Brass's substitute appearance probably helped set another couple of firsts for City when he became the team's THIRD skipper within 90 minutes and their SEVENTH City captain of the season.

When he came on, the outgoing Barry Jones handed Brass the captain's armband - which Jones himself had inherited when starting skipper Steve Agnew was replaced by striker David McNiven.

Other skippers this season have been Peter Swan, Darren Edmondson, Mark Sertori and Darren Patterson. When Dolan arrived, the club captain was Chris Fairclough.

CITY physio Jeff Miller had the shirt taken off his back quite literally prior to City's trip to Whaddon Road.

With Cheltenham playing in red and white stripes, the Minstermen were forced to wear their little-seen navy blue kit.

Only a limited number of the shirts were made, ensuring its status as a collectors' item - as City found to their cost.

With the blue shirts in the shop having sold out, City were left looking high and low for ones for new signings Richard Cooper, Lee Nogan and Chris Brass.

Step forward Miller, who handed his shirt over in time for the squad numbers and player's name to be emblazoned on the back.

THE few hardy souls who made the long trip to Cheltenham on Tuesday would have been forgiven for thinking City had a new player in the ranks.

Spotted in the City team picture featured in the match programme was none other than Josh Easby, author of the Arthur Bottom electronic newsletter and website.

Easby paid to have his picture taken with the City players during the club's pre-season photocall.

It was expected to go no further than his own photograph album but somehow the Robins got their hands on that pic instead of the official club one.