SOMETIMES statistics are just not enough to tell the true story.

They might provide the analytical data which divides the special from the also-ran but they can never convey the full spectacle that is the very best of men.

Keith Walwyn's York City record of 140 goals in 291 appearances would be enough to safeguard the ace poacher's place in Bootham Crescent folklore.

Only Norman Wilkinson has scored more senior goals for York City than Keith.

But goal records and career stats tell only half the story of a true City legend, whose passing this week cast a shadow over City hearts everywhere.

Tributes from his former team-mates and City colleagues have been pouring into the Evening Press ever since Wednesday's sad news.

Fans too have been paying their respects in their droves on the unofficial City website www.yorkcityfc.com, regaling their treasured memories of Big Bad Keith, as he was affectionately known.

Everyone is in agreement; Keith played the game as it should be played - totally committed, fearless but fair.

Off the pitch he was, as witnessed at the launch of the York City Supporters' Trust in February last year, a true gentleman.

Humble and modest, Keith was a giant of a man in every sense.

He will be sadly missed but always remembered.

Michael Proctor, the former City fan favourite who was top scorer last season during his loan stint at Bootham Crescent, did his chances of becoming part of Mick McCarthy's Sunderland revolution no harm by scoring a hat-trick for the Black Cats' reserves in midweek.

Proctor's three goals came against Bradford City, another club where he had a spell on loan.

Sources in the north-east reckon with McCarthy having to slash his squad next season following relegation from the Premiership, Proctor is almost certain to have his services retained.

PROMOTION is the only glory manager Terry Dolan is seeking at the moment.

But the City chief hasn't ruled out a challenge for literary acclaim at a later date.

Asked this week whether he ever fancied following the footsteps of Stan Ternent, now Burnley boss but Dolan's former assistant at Bradford and Hull, by writing his managerial memoirs, the City chief didn't rule out the idea.

"The only time I will be writing a book is when I have finished with it all," he said.

Dolan admitted this season alone would provide plenty of material.

"There'll be a few lengthy chapters and not just about this season, don't you worry about that," he said.

ON the subject of literary acclaim, congratulations must go again to the authors of City fanzine Ginner's Left Foot.

A special Wembley tenth anniversary addition went on sale at last Saturday's game with Rochdale and, with its mixture of mirth, merriment thought-provoking articles, it is well worth a read.

ONE-TIME City striker Glenn Naylor has announced he is hanging up his boots after failing to recover from a serious knee injury.

The 30-year-old has made just one start for Darlington this season and finally called time on his career after losing his battle to overcome knee ligament damage.

Naylor moved to Feethams initially on loan from his home-town club in 1995 and returned on a permanent basis in September 1996 on a free transfer.

In 2001, he finished as the Quakers' top scorer with 15 goals but suffered knee ligament damage on the final day of the season at Blackpool.

Since then, he made just seven starts after suffering several setbacks in his recovery quest.

Naylor made more than 200 appearances for Darlington scoring more than 50 goals.

After making his City debut as a 17-year-old, Naylor, now 30, made 129 appearances for City, including 42 as substitute, and scored 32 goals.

THE finalists in the Mitchell League Under-12 finals to be played at Bootham Crescent on Tuesday, April 29, have been announced.

Hamilton Panthers will take on Poppleton at 6.15pm in the first match, followed by Easingwold Town 'A' v Thorpe United at 7.30pm.

Brass is closing in

SKIPPER Chris Brass could all but seal the Evening Press player of the year award with another man of the match display at Lincoln today.

With four games, including today's trip to Sincil Back to go, Brass is eight points clear.

The City captain extended his lead at the top of the rankings with a three-point haul at Carlisle United in midweek, although second-placed Chris Smith kept on his captain's coat-tails with a two-point display.

Gary Hobson received the remaining point on offer at Brunton Park.

Against Rochdale, Richard Cooper just shaded the man of the match accolade from goalkeeper Michael Ingham with goalscorer Darren Edmondson taking the remaining point.

Brass has already claimed one end of season prize after being crowned player of the year by City Supporters' Club branch, the Harrogate Minstermen.

Brass 41 points, Smith 33, Parkin 24, Duffield 22, Fettis 22, Nogan 21, Edmondson 16, Cook 13, Cooper 11, Cowan 11, Bullock 10, Ingham 8, Fox 7, Potter 6, Reddy 6, Beresford, Brackstone 5, Jones 4, Wise 3, Hobson 3, Shandran 2, Graydon 1.

Big night to club together

PROMOTION may not yet be secure but, win or bust, party time has already been called.

An end of season bash and presentation night in aid of York City will be staged at the Ikon & Diva night-club on Sunday, May 18.

Various player of the year awards will be presented, with the first-team squad and a number of City legends in attendance.

Admission to the event, which will kick-off at 7.30pm and will finish at 12.30am, will cost £5 in advance, £4 for season ticket holders and Trust members, and £6 on the night.

As well as brushing shoulders with their heroes past and present, fans will also be able to take advantage of reduced prices at the bar.

"It will also be a celebration of the club's existence and survival," said Trust board member Kirsten Gillies, pictured second from left with (from left) Ikon & Diva manager Phil Hallam, City player Christian Fox, and City commercial manager Pete Salter.

"It is a chance for fans to come down and meet the players and spend an evening socialising with them. It should also prove a great fundraiser."

Updated: 11:43 Saturday, April 19, 2003