YORK and district grassroots football stars are getting ready to run out at Bootham Crescent against a representative side from Scarborough.

A Leeper Hare York and District League select side will take on their Scarborough League counterparts in the Ernie Fairclough Challenge Trophy on March 2.

The trophy was set up last season following the death of the influential local football stalwart, who had campaigned to resurrect the annual York v Scarborough select fixture after an absence of ten years.

Last year's game was played at Pickering Town's Recreation Ground in front of a packed crowd and it is hoped fans will turn out in force at Bootham Crescent for this year's event.

The York team manager Bill Pearce said: "All associated with the Leeper Hare York League management committee would like to thank York City Football Club for allowing the use of their facilities for this game.

"I have spoken to Ernie's son, Stuart Fairclough, who is also the manager of Dringhouses, and he is absolutely delighted that the game his father worked so hard to establish is to be rightfully staged at Bootham Crescent."

The York team have now been running for four seasons and have only lost to Scarborough once - on penalties after finishing the inaugural Ernie Fairclough Challenge 1-1 after extra time.

The match will kick-off at 7.30pm and admission will be £3 adults, £1 juniors and senior citizens. Any potential sponsors are asked to get in touch with Pearce as soon as possible.

All secretaries and squad members involved in the game are asked to call Pearce on 01904 777143 on Sunday, February 29 to confirm availability.

York and District squad: Craig Cammidge (Wigginton G'hoppers), Chris Johnson (Wigginton G'hoppers), Andy Phillips (Copmanthorpe), Mark Hirst (Copmanthorpe), Rob Gibson (Pocklington), Mark Watkinson (Pock), Barry Gargett (Pock), Neil Durkin (Pock), Mike Murr (Pock), Neil Wilford (Pock), David Roasbeck (T&L Selby), John Ginty (T&L Selby), David Crudass (Haxby United), Mark Scoreby (Haxby United), Jamie Hopwood (Malton Bacon Factory), Simon Collins (Malton BF), Shane Forrest (Dringhouses) and Chris Burgess (Dunnington).

Updated: 11:32 Monday, February 23, 2004