TREASURED medals and international caps awarded to former York City player Joe Hulme are expected to raise thousands of pounds when they go under the autioneer's hammer next month.

Hulme played for City in their Midland League days before they moved from Fulfordgate to Bootham Crescent and now his collection is to be auctioned by Christies in London on March 23.

He went on to become a famous player with Arsenal, winning nine England caps.

Stafford-born Hulme joined City as an 18-year-old from Stafford YMCA in October 1922.

Hulme died in 1991 but his collection of football mementoes, including international caps he won against Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, France and Belgium, is expected to gain a lot of interest from collectors.

He made 31 Midland League appearances before a £250 - a huge sum in those days - transfer to Blackburn Rovers in 1925 saw him rocket to stardom. As part of the deal Rovers played a friendly at York on April 21, 1924, Blackburn winning 2-1 in front of a 5,000 crowd.

Arsenal shelled out £3,500 for his services in 1926 and in 13 seasons at Highbury he won three championship medals and played in four FA Cup finals, twice being a winner.

His 1930 FA Cup winners' medal is expected to fetch about £5,000 and his England caps about £800 each.

He ended his playing career at Huddersfield and later had a spell as Tottenham manager.

A true sporting all-rounder, Hulme also played cricket for Middlesex in the ten years up to the Second World War.

He later worked as a sports journalist for The People newspaper until his retirement in 1968.

CITY junior Chris Hogg passed his Spanish exam with flying colours.

Hogg, skipper of City's Under-16s, was part of the England Under-15 side that managed a highly-creditable 1-1 draw with Spain at Rushden and Diamonds.

England coach Steve Rutter believes Spain are "one of the top five youth sides in the world", and was more than happy with the progress Hogg and his team-mates are making.

"A lot of good came out of the game," explained Rutter

"To get a draw with a side like Spain is really good. But more important was the way we played. At this stage of their developments the way they play and what they learn is far more important than the result."

Rutter was particularly full of praise for the way the defence, marshalled by centre-back Hogg, stuck to their game plan.

"One of the things we worked on before the game was getting in front of the forwards and not allowing them time on the ball," he said.

"The boys took that to heart, really concentrated on not sitting too deep and only conceded three free-kicks in the last third of the pitch. They showed real composure and character against players who were much bigger and stronger than they were."

Young England took the lead on 40 minutes through Everton's Sean Doherty and were just minutes away from a notable scalp before Spain's Martinez grabbed an equaliser.

Holland, on February 22, and Germany, two days later, are England's next challenges in the four-team Walkers International tournament.

FRIGHTENING, but sadly true.

Chris Iwelumo's return to Stoke City and subsequent switch to Cheltenham Town means not one player in the current City squad has scored a League goal in 2001.

Indeed, the last League goal scored by a City player other than Iwelumo was Kevin Hulme's 78th-minute winner against Shrewsbury - more than 800 minutes of League football have passed - way back on December 2.

NICK Culkin's Bristol Rovers drew 0-0 with Notts County last weekend, keeping up their record of the sixth-meanest defence in the Second Division.

The Pirates may have relegation worries, but the former City junior's good form during his season-long loan from Manchester United has seen them concede just 32 goals in 26 League games.

THE final event of Wayne Hall's Testimonial year will now be staged on Wednesday, May 2.

A Sportsman's Dinner in honour of the fans' favourite was due to be staged on March 13, but was postponed after City's Division Three clash at home to Darlington was rescheduled for that day.

The dinner will still be staged at York Racecourse and tickets bought for the March dinner will still be valid for the new date.

BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration will be the guest speaker with Neil Midgley acting as Master of Ceremonies.

It is hoped comedian Jimmy Bright will also still be able to attend after being booked for March 13, but organiser Graham Bradbury insists if not, a replacement comic will be booked.

Tickets, priced £28, can be obtained by writing to Bradbury at 49 Hull Road, York YO10 3JP, telephone 01904 430036.

Cheques should be made payable to 'Wayne Hall Testimonial Fund'.

THE York City club shop is hosting a sale day tomorrow (10am - 1pm).

Many items will be reduced to half-price with various children's replica shirts on sale at £5.

A HAT-TRICK of half-term footballing fun-days have been organised by York City's Football in the Community programme.

York Sixth Form College will stage the first from Monday, February 19, to Wednesday, February 21.

A second will be held at North Duffield playing fields, near Selby, on Thursday, February 22, and Friday February 23.

Elvington playing fields will also host a third fun soccer school on the Thursday and Friday.

All the sessions will start at 10am and finish at 3pm.

The three-day session at York Sixth Form will cost £25. The sessions at Elvington and North Duffield cost £15.

For further details contact Paul Olsson, City's FITC officer, on 01904 613017 or 0410 258636.