HAVING flicked through the record-books again in search of grim statistics, Tuesday night's appalling 6-0 defeat at Carlisle United equalled York City's second-heaviest league defeat in the post-Second World War years.

In fact, just one team in the last 66 years has suffered a bigger losing margin.

Only a 9-2 capitulation at Chester City in 1958, has been more comprehensive than the midweek Brunton Park horror show in that passage of time and, surprisingly, six members of the famous Happy Wanderers' FA Cup semi-final squad were in the starting line-up on that day.

Liverpool also beat the Minstermen 7-0 in a 1985 FA Cup tie but, as the Anfield club were widely recognised as the best team in Europe at the time, that result should probably be put into its right context.

There have only been three other league defeats by a six-goal margin since the War but the last one was 16-and-a-half years ago at Burnley in September 1988.

The only other two 6-0 drubbings came at Swindon Town in October 1965 and Chester in December 1946.

The Cumbrian debacle also stands at joint-fifth in the all-time rankings behind the club's record 12-0 reverse at Chester -- again -- in February 1936, an 8-1 hammering at Crewe in February 1932, a 7-0 home humiliation against Rochdale in January 1939, as well as the post-Second World War record defeat.

For the record, the only team to endure a bigger defeat than Tuesday night's sorry bunch since 1945 was: Mick Granger, Ernie Phillips, Richard Steel, Gordon Brown, James Cairney, Ron Spence, Billy Hughes, Terence Farmer, Norman Wilkinson, Peter Wragg, Ron Greensmith.

One of York City's all-time greats from that era Sid Storey had retired by then but there will be a rare opportunity for City supporters to ask him questions on Thursday night.

Happy Wanderer Storey, the creative force behind City's march to the 1955 FA Cup semi-finals, will be York Minstermen's guest at the Social Club from 7.30pm.

There will also be an opportunity to see some of the action from the famous Cup run with the recently-released DVD being shown on the big screen.

It is also hoped that older City fans will come along and share their memories of fonder times.

A football, signed by four of the Happy Wanderers' heroes, will also be raffled on the night. The doors and bar open at 7pm.

Updated: 11:07 Saturday, April 16, 2005