York City and Melbourne Football Clubs will both be hoping to hit the right notes on the pitch next season.

The Bootham Crescent professional outfit have linked up with the reformed Sunday morning village team to help raise funds for both clubs and there is also a musical theme to their new relationship.

Both sides aim to be smash hits in the Conference and the York and District Sunday League respectively with the help of local bands Independent State and Haze.

Pocklington group Independent State and Melbourne outfit Haze recently helped raise £700 for the new football team by playing gigs at the Melbourne Arms.

That money has enabled the team to rejoin the York and District League with Melbourne Arms landlord Justin Brosenitz agreeing to sponsor a new strip.

The pub has also converted its cellar into a games room, complete with pool table and darts board, where the football team will meet and the old village pitch has been restored to its former glory by Steve Edwards, of In Turf, after five years of neglect.

Its impressive surface will be christened by the visit of a York City XI on Friday, July 30 when teams from Wilberfoss and Melbourne will take on the Minstermen.

Nick Vass, who managed the team before its demise in 1999, has been asked to play a role in the formation of the new club and said: "The whole village is buzzing about the prospect of a York City side playing here.

"What is so appealing about what is happening here at the moment is that it is young people helping young people. Musicians who don't have anywhere to play are helping a football club that didn't have a team."

Profits from next month's fundraising match will be shared by York City and Melbourne with other planned attractions including a hog roast, raffle, bouncy castle and face painting.

There will also be a junior game between Melbourne and Stamford Bridge primary schools.

Vass added: "Because In Turf helped us with the pitch and they sponsor Wilberfoss we have invited Wilberfoss to play the first half against York City and then we will play the second."

City have already provided signed shirts and footballs for the original fundraising night in May and have donated balls to the local schools.

The winner of a "Design A Badge" competition for the new football team at Melbourne Primary School will also be rewarded with an afternoon as the Minstermen's matchday mascot.

In addition, the village's talented musicians are expected to be heavily involved in next season's "Family Nights" during reserve games at Bootham Crescent on a Monday evening.

Melbourne are still hoping people can donate prizes for a raffle on July 30 and are particularly interested in receiving non-perishable food products that can be used as prizes in hampers.

New nets and three portable toilets are also needed and the new team would like to hear from companies or individuals interested in programme sponsorship.

Anybody interested should call Nick Vass on 01904 448717.

Updated: 10:29 Saturday, July 10, 2004