HAIRY moments have been few and far between for York City fans with the dependable Michael Ingham in goal.

But the former Northern Ireland international goalkeeper has never looked so hirsute than he does presently – 19 days into growing a moustache for The Institute of Cancer Research campaign Movember.

Ingham embarked on the challenge, along with team-mates Jamie Reed, Matty Blair, Scott Kerr, Chris Smith, Paddy McLaughlin, Jason Walker, David McGurk, Michael Potts, Jon Challinor and Paul Musselwhite, physio Jeff Miller and community coaches Darren Kelly and Simon Wood, as a fun way of raising money in the memory of former City shot-stopper Mark Ovendale.

The results have been mixed so far but, proving there’s no substitute for experience, Scott Kerr is currently sporting the best nose tickler three weeks short of his 30th birthday.

About his team-mates’ varying degress of success, Ingham laughed: “TY’s struggling a bit but Kerry’s is probably the most impressive.

“The rules state it has to be a moustache, which means there needs to be a gap between any beard growth but Reedy is trying to incorporate a goatee as well and is getting a bit of ribbing for that. The lads who aren’t doing it are all behind us but they can’t grow tashes.

“If we stay unbeaten or people offer more money, I might even keep mine or grow a Father Christmas beard in December – asuuming the gaffer allowed that of course.”

Manager Gary Mills, despite belonging to a playing era that championed the tash, declined an offer to partcipate on grounds of taste but is fully behind the cause, saying: “The players are doing it for all the right reasons even though some of them look terrible.”

Ingham’s personal life has been touched by cancer having lost grandparents and an uncle to the disease.

The death of 37-year-old Ovendale – a former City colleague of both Smith and Miller – this year was also felt by the one-time Sunderland ’keeper, who said: “Since I’ve been here, the club have supported a lot of charities but it’s not something we’ve done as a group of players before.

“The unfortunate death of Mark Ovendale hit me a bit with him being a former York City goalkeeper and me the current number one. I thought it would be nice, therefore, if the lads raised some money for The Institute of Cancer Research by participating in Movember.

“We are hoping to invite Mark’s family to a game to show them how well he is remembered by the club, its fans, players and staff. I did not know Mark personally but a lot of people have told me what a great lad and character he was and that he got on with the supporters.

“Like me, from what I’ve heard, he was a bit mad too. I want to play until I am in my late 30s or early 40s so for a talent like him to be taken away so prematurely hits home.

“It also makes you realise you should not beat yourself up about football but enjoy playing while you can. Cancer has touched my life and touches almost everybody’s at some point.”

Ingham, of course, is following in a long line of moustached goalkeepers, including the likes of David Seaman and Nigel Martyn.

But it is a net minder from the golden era of lip caterpillars – the 1980s – who Ingham rates highest.

“Bruce Grobbelaar was my favourite moustachioed ’keeper for his personality and the way he played the game,” Ingham revealed. “He was a good ’keeper but probably one of the last in a dying breed of crazy number ones.

“A lot are too serious now and don’t seem to embrace the fun side of things. The best looking tash has to be Rene Higuita’s though. His was the real deal when he was playing in World Cups for Colombia.”

The City players and staff have raised £1,178.00 towards their overall target of £2,000.

A donation of £300 has been made by the organisers of the recent Past Players Dinner, held to honour Bootham Crescent legend Alf Patrick’s 90th birthday.

Money raised from that occasion was distributed equally between The Institute for Cancer Research, Help for Heroes and York’s Talking Newspaper.

Any one wanting to support Movember with City can make an online donation by visiting www.justgiving.com/MovemberYorkCity • Michael Potts and Danny Pilkington will be Harrogate Minstermen’s guests on Thursday.

The pair will be available to answer supporters’ questions from 7.30pm at Harrogate Conservative Club on East Parade. Members and non-members are welcome.

There will also be a free members draw with the prize fund at £50 but members must be in attendance to have a chance of winning.

Any one wishing to join Harrogate Minstermen or to travel to games with the group should visit www.harrogateminstermen.com for further details.

Festive community specials

YORK City in the Community are holding Christmas Special Days at Bootham Crescent and Riccall Regen Centre.

Both days, open to boys and girls aged between five and 14, will include indoor football coaching, games, quizzes and a York City Christmas present.

They will run from 10am to 3pm with the Bootham Crescent party on Monday, December 19 also including a ground tour, lunch and the chance to meet Minstermen players.

The Riccall party will take place on Thursday, December 22 and costs £15, while the price for Bootham Crescent is £20 for Junior Red members and £25 for non-members.

Advance bookings are required and payment must be received by Thursday, December 15.

For more details or to reserve a place, phone 01904 624447, extension 7.