YORK City could still need six wins to secure safety in the Blue Square Premier.

The Minstermen, who have only enjoyed eight league victories all season, seemingly require 18 points to be certain of their place in the highest echelon of non-League football.

A total of 50 points is often regarded as the barometer for survival in 46-game leagues but a study of the final tables in the 24-strong Blue Square Premier, Championship, League One and League Two illustrates that a half-century haul would only have been enough to finish above fourth bottom in five out of eight instances.

In fact, Coventry finished 21st in the Championship last season despite racking up 53 points.

With Martin Foyle’s men currently stood on 36, there is clearly still a lot of work to be done during the last 13 league fixtures.

A closer inspection of the tables suggests 50 points would, on average, ensure a fifth-bottom finish although a 41-point tally from 21st-placed Altrincham last season will have lowered that average.

Tickets are now on sale for the second Bootham Crescent Beer Festival, which will be held in the social club on Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28.

Last year’s inaugural event saw almost £1,000 raised for worthy causes at the club and the £10 ticket price includes a commemorative pint glass, a York Minstermen pen, a copy of the souvenir programme and four half-pint or two-pint vouchers.

Members of CAMRA and York Minstermen for the 2009/10 season will also receive a bonus half-pint voucher on presentation of their membership cards for the event, which will also see hot food on sale.

Tickets can be bought from the club shop on non-match days and at the supporters’ office or in the car park at City games.

Alternatively, you can send a cheque payable to York Minstermen at York Minstermen, c/o York City Football Club, York, YO30 7AQ.

Barrel sponsorship is also still available for the event in two packages.

Full sponsorship, costing £50, includes two tickets with the £25 half-sponsorship deal including one.

Sponsors will receive signage on their barrel, adverts in the programme and exposure in the pre-event publicity.

For further information email ian@yorkminstermen.org.uk or phone 07990 975300.

Brodie hot on McGurk’s tail

RICHARD Brodie has moved to within a point of long-time leader David McGurk at the top of the Press Player of the Year standings.

The England ‘C’ international picked up two points as our second-highest rated player during the 2-0 victory over Weymouth in which he scored both goals.

Man-of-the-match Levi Mackin (three) and Josh Mimms (one) received the other points on offer while Daniel Parslow and Simon Russell shared the two Player of the Month bonus points available for the top performer according to votes polled from our website.

Midfielder Simon Rusk is the winner of our February monthly award.

To be in with a chance of presenting the next Player of the Month with a framed photograph on the pitch before a home game, nominate your man of the match on thepress.co.uk for any of City’s upcoming fixtures.

Press Player of the Year latest standings: McGurk 26 points, Brodie 25, Parslow 23, Purkiss 20, Rusk 19, Ingham 17, Robinson 17, Greaves 15, McBreen 13, A Smith 10, Sodje 9, Critchell 5, Hogg 5, Holmes 5, Kelly 5, Mackin 5, Russell 5, Farrell 4, McWilliams 4, Boyes 3, Dyer 3, Pejic 3, Shepherd 2, Brown 1, Mimms 1, C Smith 1.

Press Player of the Month for February final standings: Rusk 8, Mackin 7, McBreen 5, Critchell 3, Parslow 3, Pejic 3, A Smith 3, Brodie 2, Ingham 2, Mimms 1, Robinson 1, Russell 1, C Smith 1.

Goals: Brodie 16, McBreen 8, Sodje 6, Farrell 3, Greaves 3, own goals 2, A Smith 2, C Smith 2, Wilkinson 2, Boyes 1, Holmes 1, Purkiss 1, Robinson 1, Russell 1.

Assists: Purkiss 7, Rusk 6, McBreen 5, Brodie 4, Farrell 4, Sodje 4, Brown 2, Hogg 2, McGurk 2, McWilliams 3, Shepherd 2, Bore 1, Dyer 1, Greaves 1, Ingham 1, Parslow 1, Robinson 1, Russell 1, A Smith 1.

Bad boys: Brodie 1 red card, 8 yellows; Rusk 6 yellows; Greaves 5 yellows; McBreen, Robinson both 4 yellows; McWilliams 3 yellows; Hogg, Holmes, Kelly, McGurk, C Smith all 2 yellows; Boyes, Farrell, Parslow, Wilkinson all 1 yellow.

Ladies seeking golden plunder

A HISTORIC football kit will be auctioned off to raise funds for York City Ladies.

The Minstermen’s 2002/3 yellow away strip, which was rebranded when the club was saved by the Supporters’ Trust, is available as a five-a-side kit with five outfield shirts, one goalkeeper’s top, six pairs of shorts and socks all adult large/XL size.

It is the original kit worn by City’s first team, including a Football League emblem on the numbers.

The ladies’ team, who will face Middlesbrough in the North Riding County Cup final at Stokesley on March 22, are hoping to attract money towards the purchase of a storage container and floodlights for their training ground.

Minimum bids of £100 can be made by emailing paul@sportscamps.org.uk