FORMER York City defender Graeme Murty has been called up to Scotland's "future squad" at the age of 29!

Murty has been named in Berti Vogts' plans for Wednesday's experimental friendly against Turkey at Dundee United's Tannadice ground.

Middlesbrough-born Murty made his Minstermen debut in 1993 against Hartlepool in the Autoglass Trophy and scored nine goals in 144 games mainly as a midfielder while on the Bootham Crescent books.

He signed for Reading for £700,000 in 1998 and has since been converted into a defender, playing 173 times and scoring just once for the First Division club.

CITY supporters have already donated 300 gifts for this year's Minstermen Christmas Appeal.

Reserve goalkeeper Chris Porter played Father Christmas this week when he carried a sack full of presents to the club shop after a collection he made with his family and friends in Middlesbrough.

A female fan also raised £117 at work and spent the money on gifts at the club shop, another supporter dropped off half-a-van load of presents and Wednesday night's Virgin V Party contributed another £120 to the appeal.

Donations are still very welcome and can be made until Saturday, December 13. The presents will then be distributed by the players to the Martin House Hospice and the Salvation Army.

City have also decided against sending Christmas cards this year and will be making £50 donations to the two charities instead.

ANY budding Justin Timberlake or Robbie Williams in City's squad will be given the opportunity to display their vocal talents at the Salvation Army's Community Carol Service next Sunday (December 14) from 5pm at the Citadel in Gillygate. The players will also be donating gifts.

YORK City players will be able to work out in a gym at the club's Wigginton Road training ground thanks to the efforts of supporters.

A total of £3,500 was raised at last weekend's Supporters' Trust dinner and dance, with part of the proceeds going towards supplying weights inside the new Portakabin that has been donated to the club.

ONE of the men who could be a key figure in deciding York City's future destiny was cheering on the home side at the Reynolds Arena this afternoon.

City of York council leader Steve Galloway is a Darlington season-ticket holder and passionate Quakers fan.

The council are currently considering City's planning application for the re-development of Huntington Stadium.

LEV Yalcin will be Tholthorpe Supporters' Club's guest on Monday at the Bluebell in Alne.

Updated: 10:24 Saturday, December 06, 2003