THE Diary was over the moon to join the throng at last week's dinner celebrating the fabled scoreline: Manchester United 0, York City 3.

A splendid night was had by all at York Racecourse, as footballers and fans came together to mark the tenth birthday of that unbelievable match.

It brought back mixed memories for your diarist. The excitement as our coach left the Evening Press HQ for Manchester on September 20, 1995, was quickly replaced by an urgent desire to see my home fireplace again. Why? Because that was where my ticket to the big match resided.

I managed to buy a replacement ticket at Old Trafford, but only for the home stand. Not keen to spend the next two hours amid United's no doubt charming fans, I explained my pitiful plight to a steward and, worn down by my copious weeping, he allowed me through to rejoin the York faithful. And then the fireworks began...

THE screening of match highlights at the racecourse reminded everyone how one-sided it was. No one will forget the moment the City fans struck up a chorus of "Are you Scarborough in disguise?" to the further bemusement of Beckham, Giggs and co.

Our host at the dinner was the genial City fan Guy Mowbray, now a BBC commentator, but then joint sports editor of both Minster FM and Sun FM, the Sunderland radio station. Much to his dismay he was assigned to cover the Sunderland match that fateful night.

His colleague commentated on City's demolition job of Man U. He didn't last long in the job, apparently.

Reporting later on another, less explosive game, Guy's former co-worker told the listeners: "It's nil-nil and very boring. I've seen more life under Fred West's patio."

TALKING of Minster FM, the Diary's favourite radio music show is Punked, broadcast by the station on Sunday evenings.

The kids' bathtime is livened up no end by a great selection of hits from the likes of the Jam and the Clash, presented by the knowledgeable Tom Stroud.

But the show, syndicated across many local radio stations, is not always looked after by the Minster FM team.

On more than one occasion, the signal has gone silent, followed by a jingle and the opening bars of a Robbie Williams song. (Robbie is about as Punked as the late Mary Whitehouse.) Then we cut back to the show.

And this Sunday, the playlist seemed identical to the previous week's programme. Dunnington's finest techies couldn't have broadcast the wrong show... could they?

A FRIEND has arrived back from a break in Vienna. He reports this comforting notice in his hotel:

"Hospitality and safety are omnipresent throughout our establishment. Tough you may lake it for granted that the outbreak of fire in our building is almost excluded."

REFLECTIONS on life as a guide in York Minster in the Diary last week brought back a memory to Pauline Rees, of Woodthorpe.

"A side chapel was 'roped off' for a short service," she writes. "Two American visitors arrived and were told the chapel would be 'opened' again after the service.

"'Gee!' said she. 'Isn't it great they can find a use for these old buildings.'

"And he asked: 'Are you open on Sundays?'"

Updated: 10:27 Tuesday, October 04, 2005