GOLF swing-king Simon Dyson took time out from his assault on the world's top 50 to aid the cash-strapped York City Centre of Excellence.

Before developing into international club class, Dyson was a promising teenage footballer at the academy.

So when made an approach about helping the place of his burgeoning football career, which at the outset of winter launched a cash appeal after Football League fall-out funds from the Minstermen ran out, Dyson returned to his roots.

Before jetting out for the Middle East to resume his European Golf Tour campaign in the $2 million Abu Dhabi Championships today, Dyson handed over a selection of autographed golf wear.

Said Dyson's father, John Dyson: "I was approached by John Stockton at the Centre of Excellence whether Simon could help and when I mentioned it to him he said he would sort out some equipment to raffle.

"Simon was at the City centre of Excellence as a youngster when it was run by Ricky Sbragia. Simon wasn't a bad footballer, he showed quite a lot of promise, but he was always going to be a better golfer and when it came to the choice he was always going to opt for golf."

That faith in his golfing ability has paid off handsomely for the 30-year-old Dyson who has developed into one of Europe's hottest prospects and who could this year be pushing for selection for the Great Britain and Europe Ryder Cup team after a momentous last couple of years.

Besides earning two European Tour crowns - the Indonesian Open and the KLM Dutch Open - the Malton and Norton Golf Club star was joint runner-up in last year's Volvo Masters competition and was also the leading European player in capturing an impressive joint sixth finish in last summer's USPGA Championship, the last major of the season.

Football, however, has remained a passion with Dyson.

A selection of signed golf caps and shirts and a number two iron have been provided by Dyson for the academy appeal to the delight of Stockton, who is the coach of the Under-16s team.

Said Stockton: "Any help we can get is brilliant and this is a fine gesture from Simon who is a former pupil at the Centre of Excellence."

Since launching the appeal in September, supermarket giants Asda have weighed in with a £1,000 cheque and several collection days in the run-up to Christmas, while Stoke City and ex-Leeds United striker Richard Cresswell, a product of the centre, made a cash donation.

It is understood the Centre of Excellence, which runs teams from under-nines to U16s, needs around £30,000 a year to stay in operation. In the past decade, players worth a total of £3million in the transfer market have come through the academy.

Anyone who can help can contact Stockton by email on jstockie55@fsmail.net