IT was always a bad decision to axe York City's reserve team, so well done to all who have helped the club save the side.

I first visited the Crescent in the mid-1950s to see a Midland League encounter against Frickley Colliery in which Bobby Bainbridge scored a hat-trick for City Reserves.

This league was a mix of League clubs' second strings and non-League sides which included the likes of Boston, Grantham, Kings Lynn, Wisbech, Gainsborough, who always strove to overturn City side. These matches were played on Saturdays in front of decent sized crowds.

Peterborough United won the Midland League championship several times and were duly elected to the Football League on the strength of this.

One player, Des Hardcastle, played in just about every position for City's team and once a minor sensation was caused when Ernie Philips and Arthur Bottom were dropped from the first team and played in a 2-2 draw for the Second XI. I also saw the third team play in the Yorkshire League on the Boroughbridge Road pitch in which collections went round for the admissions.

John McClure,

Celtic Close,

York.

Updated: 11:02 Saturday, April 16, 2005