York City legend Barry Jackson is hoping that Billy McEwan's 2005/06 charges continue their winning run until the end of the season.

Jackson, who has played more games for City than any other player in the club's history, was a key member of the 1964/65 side that also set the current record of seven successive league wins.

The Minstermen's class of 2005/2006 were hoping to equal that feat at Canvey Island this afternoon and Jackson also hopes McEwan's men can emulate their fourth division 1965 predecessors by going on to clinch promotion.

He said: "I'm delighted by the run and I genuinely want them to break the record. I also hope they go on to win every game between now and the end of the season.

"Accrington would really have to slip up to not get the automatic promotion spot but the play-offs are now achievable. I'd like to see them get back up where York City deserve to be because it's been so sad what's happened in recent years but I admire what they have all done up to now.

"I watch their progress from afar these days but I'm hoping to get down before the end of the season to cheer the side on from behind the goal. I also like the sound of the manager. I read what he says in the newspaper and he speaks a lot of sense. I don't think I've ever disagreed with anything he's said."

The Nationwide Conference statistics used to measure performance award for the manager of the month certainly backed up Jackson's view as McEwan won February's competition.

Former centre-back Jackson also agrees with McEwan that a run of seven successive victories can only be achieved by through team work.

He added: "We had a good team back then. Paul Aimson was a brilliant player and scored a lot of goals but there were no stars in the dressing room and everybody pulled together."

Jackson, now age 68, is enjoying his retirement in Stockton-on-Forest having worked with the Electricity Board and for a newsagents after hanging up his boots following 14 years of service at Bootham Crescent.

Whilst willing City on to break one record, Jackson's landmark of 539 appearances seems less likely to be bettered.

He said: "Players don't seem to hang about any more and it's not always to do with their loyalty. There's a lot of short-term contracts now but you never know somebody might stick around like I did."

Updated: 11:08 Saturday, March 18, 2006