CITY supporters' big game, of course, is the Fans' Match at Bootham Crescent arranged for Sunday, May 9, and, continuing our look at the players who will be on show, this week we profile two more players in the home side's line-up.

Richard Groves (shirt number two): A City fan for more than 30 years, Richard has countless Minstermen heroes including Crawford, Seal, McPhail, Walwyn, Byrne, McCarthy and Barnes.

But he also likes to remember the unsung heroes who maybe did not always get the recognition they deserved and names Hazlegrove, Pepper, Wayne 'Ginner' Hall and current players Brass, Nogan, Edmondson and Dunning as other favourites.

Richard also recalls many memorable matches, with Anfield ("I remember big Keith's disallowed goal like it was yesterday") and Old Trafford obvious favourites. But others that stick in the mind include a 4-3 win at Lincoln in the mid 80s, a 7-2 win against Gillingham and beating Hull 2-0 at Boothferry Park to deny them the championship in '85, courtesy of a Dale Banton screamer he knows he will never forget.

His memorable games for the wrong reasons include most from the Bobby Saxton era, as well as a 4-0 defeat at Scunthorpe a couple of seasons back.

As a player, Richard describes himself as a cumbersome, ageing right-back with the waistline of Steve Senior and the defensive qualities of Paddy Atkinson.

He has warned spectators to expect Sertoriesque hoofed clearances on May 9, as well as lots of huffing and puffing as he tries to keep up with play.

What not to expect, he adds, is the calmness of Andy Mac or any Edmo-inspired surges down the right flank.

Richard's biggest hope is not to let Brassy or the team down while his biggest concern is the ability of the successful bidder for the opposing number 11 shirt.

His footballing ambition is to become the last ever York number two to clear the Pop Stand roof with a hoofed clearance and advises Chris Brass, his manager for the day, to make sure the keeper is comfortable with back passes and avoid playing the wing-back system.

Paul Hunter (shirt number eight): Paul has played since the age of six for Holme Rovers and Pocklington juniors, including a previous appearance at Bootham Crescent in an under-15 cup final.

He currently plays for the White Swan, Bubwith when work allows and has followed City since the age of six. His favourite all-time player is Andy Mac.

ONE City side that did taste victory recently were the Yorkie Bar team, made up of Minstermen fans, who beat their Macclesfield counterparts 2-0 earlier in the month thanks to goals from Peter George and Dave Ward. Belated congratulations from the Diary.

THE second leg of the David Longhurst Supporters' Challenge sports and general knowledge quiz between City and Scarborough fans will be held at Bootham Crescent's Social Club on Thursday, starting at 8pm.

LIAM George won his first man-of-the-match award of the season after starting his first game since September against Bury on Tuesday night.

The 25-year-old striker marked his return with a goal to pip captain Darren Edmondson to the Evening Press Player of the Year honours.

Jon Newby picked up the remaining point, which was the same reward he got during the disappointing 2-0 Good Friday defeat at Cambridge.

Defender Stuart Wise was top man at the Abbey Stadium with Richard Cooper collecting two.

With five games to go, clear leader Darren Dunning looks certain to be crowned our Player of the Year.

Latest standings: Dunning 37 points, Ovendale 26, Bullock 24, Hope 22, Nogan 22, Wise 13, Cooper 12, Brass 11, Edmondson 11, Merris 11, Ward 11, Wood 10, Smith 10, Bell 6, Davies 6, Parkin 5, Walker 5, George 4, Newby 4, Yalcin 2, Brackstone 1, Fox 1, Law 1, Offiong 1, Shaw 1, Wilford 1.

Updated: 11:30 Saturday, April 17, 2004