Forlorn to run

The York City hitman who suffered a double-fracture of the right leg in September, hopes to be running his way to full fitness within the next few weeks.

It would be a belated Christmas present for a determined Duffield, who has suffered months of frustration.

Once he can start running, Duffield admits his recovery will step up another level and his long sought-after goal of kicking a ball may follow not long after.

But while he can't wait to go on the run, the 31-year-old admits he is probably facing his most testing time since suffering the double blow just minutes into a match with Scunthorpe.

"I'm not a million miles away from jogging," he told the Evening Press.

"The problem I have is I am just so close, but it seems so far away.

"Once I am jogging that will be a massive step.

"Once I can start to gallop I can start twisting and turning and then kicking a ball - so it is a big hurdle to get over."

At least Duffield, who had to have a pin inserted into his leg after fracturing his tibia and fibula, has no qualms about playing again.

"I am not worried about not playing again. The shin feels great.

"I've just been in the gym doing strength-building exercises and while I'm not breaking any records I am pain-free.

"It feels so much better than a month ago and now I have just got to strengthen my ankle and calf.

"The club are not putting any time limits on me and have set next season as the carrot.

"I am not one of the most patient people in the world though and Jeff (Miller, City's physio) has to keep pulling me back.

"I want to be as fit as possible and seeing all the games that are coming up it is very frustrating not to be involved."

WITH his bleached-blonde locks, sun-bed tan and Armani tattoo, Leicester City midfielder Robbie Savage is a prime candidate for fan baiting.

And with his snarling demeanour on the pitch, the Welsh international often seems to have more than his fair share of enemies among fellow professionals too.

But the 26-year-old at least acquired one new and perhaps surprising friend after last Saturday's FA Cup tie between the Foxes and City.

Step forward Kevin Hulme.

There seemed little love lost between the two during the match but while they will probably never be bosom buddies Hulme admits he has now changed his perception of the oft-maligned Savage.

"We had a good bit of banter during the game," said the City midfielder.

"A lot of people told me a few things about him prior to the game but I found him a good lad to be fair.

"And he was good enough to come and knock on our changing-room door and give me his shirt."

STRANGER than fiction.

This column reported last month how City's 1-0 Boxing Day win over Macclesfield prompted the demise of Silkmen manager Peter Davenport.

The Minstermen effect struck again this week, albeit it in slightly different circumstances.

Days after his Leicester side beat City 3-0, Peter Taylor was also ousted.

Admittedly, it was his position as England caretaker boss that he lost.

And it probably had more to do with Sven-Goran Eriksson's resignation from his post as Lazio boss than what City did to Leicester.

But no doubt Tony Cottee was this afternoon sweating on a good result as his Barnet welcomed City to Underhill.

MEMBERSHIP of the York City Supporters' Club edged closer to the 700-mark.

The total now stands at 685 with the club targeting a total of 1,500 members in order to earn a place on the board for a fans' representative.

The supporters' club is currently putting the finishing touches to preparations for the annual David Longhurst Memorial Challenge, a quiz that sees City fans pitting their wits against their Scarborough and Hull City foes.

Although dates and venues have still to be confirmed the quiz is due to kick-off next month.

City meanwhile are running a bus for fans to Molineux on Tuesday when City's intermediates take on Wolves in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.

The bus will depart Bootham Crescent at 3pm and will cost £10. For further details telephone the club shop on 624447 ext 4.

AFTER signing off year 2000 with their first win, The Yorkie Bars kick-started 2001 in defeat.

The Bars, a team of City supporters brought together by the Internet, beat their Shrewsbury counterparts 4-3 just before Christmas - their first win since they formed in summer.

However, the team were unable to double their winning tally at Leicester, where they went down 8-1 to the Internet Foxes.

It was tough luck on the Bars, who were forced to start the game a few men short.

Having been 5-0 down at half-time, a now full strength Bars team enjoyed a better second-half with James Foster grabbing a consolation goal.

The Bars are next in action on February 10 when they are due to face Scunthorpe Supporters.

Their next training session is at Oaklands Sports Centre in Cornlands Road on Wednesday, at 7.30pm.

ALCIDE 'GRASSES UP' MIS-HIT CHRIS

COLIN Alcide did little to spare the blushes of his team-mate Chris Iwelumo after the striker's costly miss at Filbert Street.

Through on goal and with the scores still goal-lessl as the half-time whistle approached, the on-loan Iwelumo messed up his chance of getting his name on the back pages by pulling his shot horribly wide.

After the match, both Alcide and Iwelumo were stopped by a gang of autograph-seeking youngsters as they crossed the Filbert Street car park to the City team bus.

"Are you the bloke that missed that sitter?" squeaked a voice at Alcide.

An indignant Alcide wasted no time in pointing the finger at his team mate.

"No, it was definitely him," he chuckled.

GRIP JUST GETS STRONGER FOR FETTIS

ALAN Fettis is in danger of running away with the Evening Press/Unique Pub Co player of the year award after his man of the match display at Leicester earned him another three points.

Fettis picked up the man of the match award and so stretched his lead over nearest challenger Steve Agnew by 11 points.

Another fine defensive display by Colin Alcide saw him just pipped to the accolade by Fettis. Mark Bower picked up the other point.

With Fettis rested on Tuesday, the remaining players missed the chance to close the gap.

Kevin Hulme took the three points with substitutes James Turley (2) and Bower (1) the others.

This season's format sees City's man of the match in each game receive three points, the second best player receive two points and the third best one point.

Whoever tops the table at the end of the season wins not only the annual trophy but also a £350 cash prize courtesy of Unique Pub Co, with the runner-up receiving £150.

Alan Fettis - 31

Steve Agnew - 20

Matt Hocking - 16

David McNiven - 15

Mark Sertori - 14

Wayne Hall - 13

Kevin Hulme - 11

Alex Mathie - 10

Colin Alcide - 8

Graham Potter - 7

Chris Iwelumo - 6

Gary Hobson - 5

Darren Patterson - 5

Neville Stamp - 4

Neil Tarrant - 4

Mark Bower - 3

Darren Edmondson - 3

Barry Jones - 2

James Turley - 2