KEVIN Donovan was the Preston and Duckworth Jewellers and Evening Press Player of the Month for December.

The midfielder, who turned 33 last month, celebrated his birthday with a string of consistent performances, starting with a terrific individual goal that earned the Minstermen a point against Halifax.

Donovan was presented with his award by Evening Press reader Dave Wells before Sunday's home defeat against Scarborough. Dave also received a Tissot watch after being selected from readers who voted for their man of the match in games throughout December.

Don't forget to e-mail dave.flett@ycp.co.uk with your man-of-the-match choice from any of City's December fixtures to stand a chance of presenting the award as well as winning a Tissot watch for yourself, worth £350, courtesy of Preston and Duckworth.

You can also drop your vote in at our 76-86 Walmgate offices.

With no diary for the last two weeks, scores from four matches have not been revealed.

So, just for the record, here's a rundown on who have been City's top performers over the festive period.

City v Crawley Town: Brass 3, Paul Robinson 2, Merris 1. Fans man-of-the-match: Stockdale 2.

Scarborough v City: Davies 3, Donovan 2, Paul Robinson 1. Fans man-of-the-match: Donovan 2.

City v Burton: Donovan 3, Robinson 2, Groves 1. Fans man-of-the-match: Donovan 2.

City v Scarborough: Groves 3, Porter 2, Maloney 1. Fans man-of-the-match: Porter 2.

Current Evening Press Player of the Year standings: Merris 17 points, Stockdale 16, Dunning 15, Bishop 11, Paul D Robinson 11, Pearson 10, Donovan 9, Brass 8, Davies 7, McGurk 7, Paul Robinson 7, Stewart 6, Yalcin 6, Groves 8, Grant 4, Davis 3, Nogan 3, Law 2, Porter 2, Arthur 1, Crichton 1, Maloney 1, Staley 1.

Preston and Duckworth Jewellers and Evening Press Player of the Month for December final standings: Donovan 13, Paul Robinson 9, Brass 6, Davies 4, Dunning 3, Stockdale 2, Grant 1, Groves 1, Merris 1.

Preston and Duckworth Jewellers and Evening Press Player of the Month for January latest standings: Porter 4, Groves 3, Maloney 1.

Fans' cash lift for City

YORK Minstermen, the City supporters' group formed at the start of the season, handed over their first £1,000 of fund-raising money to the club on Sunday.

A cheque presentation was made before the Scarborough home game and £3,000 in additional bar sales have also been generated from York Minstermen events held in the Social Club last year.

The group are now holding a general knowledge quiz on Thursday night and a football quiz on January 20.

Both events start at 8.30pm in the Social Club.

York Minsterman and newly-elected Supporters' Trust board member Dave Potter is also planning to raise money through a sponsored slim.

Dave is looking for fans to donate an amount of money for each pound he loses between now and February 18.

He currently stands to raise £13 for every pound he sheds and anybody interested in supporting Dave's diet can approach him in the Social Club.

Red Cross and Christian Aid volunteers raised £1,850 towards the Tsunami Disaster Appeal during City's home match with Scarborough.

Updated: 11:24 Saturday, January 08, 2005