Trophy beckons

The York City Fives are back in action tomorrow in the quarter-finals of the Worthington Fives, the first amateur tournament that gives fans the chance to represent their club in a national five-a-side competition.

The City five, led by manager Dave Cussons, face Gillingham tomorrow in Stockport.

Should they win, the semis will also be played tomorrow with the final serving as a curtain raiser to the Worthington Cup final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on February 25.

West Ham, Manchester City, Wigan, Bolton, Peterborough and Halifax are also among the final eight who will be fighting it out for a chance to play at Cardiff and an all-expenses paid trip to Europe.

City mascot Yorkie the Lion will be cheering on the City team, who will have a chance lining-up against a Worthington Masters team, including Joe Royle, Ian Snodin, Imre Varadi and Mel Sterland, should they get knocked out in the quarter-finals.

AFTER three successive defeats and no goals it was hardly surprising that the flack started to fly this week - mainly in the direction of York City manager Terry Dolan.

The underfire City chief preferred to keep a dignified silence after the Evening Press mail bag contained a number of critical letters.

But speaking ahead of today's visit of Macclesfield Town, Dolan rejected claims he was facing his sternest test as City boss.

"The biggest test was when I first came to the club," he reasoned.

"Obviously, there has been a reaction because of three games and three defeats in a week.

"Things were being built up a little bit with regards the FA Cup and having 3,000 fans going to Leicester.

"The players did themselves justice in that game but followed that up with below par displays against Darlington and Barnet.

"I know what I'm trying to achieve at this moment in time and that is all that matters."

WAS is just coincidence or was the fickle finger of fate pointing in City's direction in midweek.

The day before the Evening Press published a handful of letters bemoaning City's recent performances, the 11-8 favourite running in the 1.30pm at Wolverhampton romped to victory.

Its name? York Whine.

CITY maybe in the bottom half of the Division Three table but they are among the front-runners when it comes to fair play.

With one point awarded for every foul committed, two points for every yellow card received and five for every red, City take an av-erage 13.8 points per game.

In the latest Football League statistics that leaves City in eighth place in the Division Three Fair Play table.

Top of the table are Kidderminster with 12.1 points, with Lincoln City bottom (17.6).

Including all the clubs in the Football League, City are positioned a creditable 18th with Crewe the fairest of them all with ten points per game.

CHAMPIONSHIP chasers Brighton have confirmed their clash with City at the Withdean Stadium on Saturday, February 24, will be all-ticket.

With none on sale on match day, supporters of both clubs must obtain a ticket in advance to gain entry. City's allocation of tickets will be made available to supporters shortly.

HELP! One of our flags is missing.

Two brand-spanking new flags emblazoned with the logos of the London and the South Branch of the York City Supporters' Club made their debuts at Reading and have since been displayed at Macclesfield and Leicester.

However, just one of the flags made it to Barnet last Saturday after the other 'disappeared' from Filbert Street seven days earlier.

It was last seen attached to a railing at the back of the East Stand, Block T.

Anyone who witnessed its removal or can provide any information regarding its whereabouts should contact Alastair Smith on 01622 687972.

CITY are offering supporters the chance to watch in style Premiership footballers strutting their stuff at Bootham Crescent.

For £19.95 fans can watch Leeds United reserves and enjoy use of a private lounge, a hot buffet meal, a selection of hot and cold drinks, team sheets, and players' bar passes.

Tannoy announcement will also be made for companies or those requiring publicity for a specific cause.

Games on the horizon at Bootham Crescent for Leeds reserves include Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle, Ever-ton, Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesbrough, Sunder-land and Manchester City, who are next up on February 14.

For details, contact James Richardson on 01904 624447 ext 6 or 07885 564708.

Fans booked on the York City Travel Club family coach heading to Blackpool next Saturday but have yet to stump up the cash are asked to do so asap.

Anyone who has bagged a seat is asked to contact the club shop on the above number, extension 4.