TITLE titans and Wembley wizards from York City's history will re-gather to dazzle at Bootham Crescent this week.

The specially-arranged fund-raising Past Players Festival match at Bootham Crescent on Sunday has attracted the overwhelming support of star names from the club's golden days of the past two decades.

The glittering duel, which kicks off at 2pm, heralds the return of the 1983-84 old Fourth Division championship-winning side with a then record 101 points. They will pit their skills against the heroes of Wembley 1993 when the Minstermen surged past Crewe in a dramatic penalty shoot-out that crowned the club's debut appearance at Wembley with the prize of play-off promotion.

Among that record-shattering title-capturing side to make what promises to be an emotional return to the Crescent are striker John Byrne, who is travelling from his Brighton base where he works as a physiotherapist, and Ricky Sbragia, currently reserve team coach at Premiership giants Manchester United.

Meanwhile, the Wembley side will include star goal-getter Paul Barnes, even though he is committed to playing for Conference side Tamworth the day before Sunday's Festival spree, and skipper of the Wembley ranks, Paul Stancliffe, now City's head of youth development.

Talks are also being held with Charlton Athletic's top-line Premiership goalkeeper Dean Kiely to appear between the sticks for the Wembley ranks, who, again, will be led by manager Alan Little when next Sunday comes.

Enthused Sophie McGill, City's communications director: "Match organiser Graham Bradbury has pulled off such a coup to encourage all these heroes from the past to play and attend the event.

"I think for many fans, this is a dream prospect to see the legendary Championship 1983/84 side pitching their skills against the heroes of the 1993 Wembley play-off winning team."

McGill added: "This will be a tremendous day and a great fund-raising opportunity for the club. We would like to thank Graham for all his efforts and also all the ex-City heroes who are taking part in this memorable occasion.

"Many of our ex-player community have kept a close eye on the situation at York City over the past two years, and this game is testimony to their devotion to the club and our home, Bootham Crescent."

The one absentee from the 1983-84 Championship winning line-up is striker Keith Walwyn who died last year. His widow Liz, however, has agreed to attend the game in his memory.

Among the ex-City stars who will be substitutes and supplementing the teams will be Iain Dunn, Chris Topping, Chris Jones, Jimmy Seal, Roy Kay, David Spofforth and Joe Neenan, while attending the game will be a cavalcade of former players such as Phil Burrows, Graeme Crawford, Sid Storey, Gordon Brown, Dave McAughtrie, Norman Wilkinson, Mick Grainger, Gerry Baker, Dave Dunmore, Alan Woods and Alf Patrick.

Admission to the game is £5 (£3 concessions).

1983/84 101 points Championship side: Alan Hay, Malcolm Crosby, John MacPhail, Dale Banton, Ricky Sbragia, Gary Ford, John Byrne, Derek Hood, Brian Pollard, Chris Evans.

1993 Wembley play-off side: Andy McMillan, Wayne Hall, Paul Stancliffe, Paul Atkin, Jon McCarthy, Paul Barnes, Tony Canham, Glenn Naylor, Ian Blackstone. Alan Little (manager).

STRIKER Andy Bell has signed for York City on a non-contract basis and will be available for first-team duty at Oxford United on Wednesday night.

Bell, who has been released by Wycombe Wanderers, impressed during a trial at Bootham Crescent last week and manager Chris Brass is hoping the former England under-15 international, who started his career at Blackburn Rovers, can bolster his attacking options after the departure of Jon Parkin to Macclesfield and Aron Wilford's loan move to Harrogate Town.

Updated: 11:12 Monday, March 01, 2004