York City are teaming up with the NSPCC to re-launch last season's successful five-a-side Schools' Cup competition.

The York City FULL STOP Challenge Cup will see young footballers from across the county battling for top honours at Bootham Crescent.

The competition will involve 16 primary schools and will be run on a knockout basis with the games being played prior to home fixtures, starting with the Minstermen's match against Brighton on Saturday, September 23.

In the run up to the competition's grand final, to be played prior to City's final home game of the season, more than 3,000 complimentary match tickets will be distributed to youngsters in the York area.

As part of the club's association with the NSPCC, the schools taking part in the York City FULL STOP Challenge Cup will be encouraged to raise funds for Football FULL STOP.

Football FULL STOP is a national football fundraising effort, culminating in a weekend of events on October 27 to 29. The school raising the most money will win a bumper pack of books donated by the football club.

City will turn their home game against Hull City on Saturday, October 28, into a Football FULL STOP fundraiser with a collection taking place during the match.

York chairman Douglas Craig said: "I am delighted that York City Football Club is playing its part in the NSPCC's Full Stop Campaign.

"The outcome of this campaign is of crucial importance because upon it depends the ability of the NSPCC to protect many children in this area who are subjected to neglect and abuse.

"Most of us do not comprehend how serious a problem this is, but a few minutes' discussion with the professionals involved can leave no doubt as to what the real situation is.

"York City are proud to be playing its part in the campaign. In co-operation with the NSPCC, we intend to do all we can to raise the profile of this campaign with the primary school children and their families throughout the city and beyond."

York City players Alan Fettis, Steve Agnew and Chris Fairclough have signed up to the FULL STOP campaign.

Fairclough said: "As a father myself, I would like to think I am bringing up my children in a safe, stable, loving environment, but I realise there are children less fortunate than my own who need the help and protection the NSPCC offer".

Agnew added: "As a father of three this is a charity that is very close to my heart and as a York City player I am pleased the club has decided to form this link with the NSPCC.

"Over the course of the season, York City has contact with many children and families in the York area and it is our duty to promote the Full Stop message to all our fans in the hope they too will support the campaign."

Goalkeeper Fettis said: "The NSPCC's hard hitting television campaign really opened my eyes to the importance of this charity.

"We must do all we can to support the Full Stop Campaign, be it fundraising or increasing people's awareness of issues surrounding cruelty to children."

The NSPCC is inviting amateur footballers across the region to join the professionals and do their bit over the Football FULL STOP weekend in October.

David Radford, the NSPCC's Children's Services Manager for York and North Yorkshire said: "We want everyone who plays football, whether they are turning out for a local club or the local pub, to have a bit of fun by raising whatever they can for the FULL STOP appeal.

"In York there are around 100 children on the child protection register at any one time. Many are victims of neglect and some are being physically or sexually abused."

Donations to the Full Stop appeal can be made via the Internet through the NSPCC site nspcc.org.uk or the York City FC site http://www.ycfc.net or by writing a cheque to the NSPCC at 65, Osbaldwick Lane, York.

Anyone can pledge their support for Full Stop by buying Full Stop badges costing £1 on sale in the York FC shop and other retail outlets.

PICTURE: GOOD CAUSE: York City players Steve Agnew (left), Alan Fettis (centre) and Chris Fairclough, pictured at the club's training ground, have given their backing to the FULL STOP Challenge Cup for primary schools. (Nigel Holland)

Schools wishing to enter the York city FULL STOP Challenge cup should send the following information to:

Sophie McGill

Public Relations Officer

York City Football Club

Bootham Crescent

York

YO30 7AQ

Contact name

School

Address

Postcode

Telephone

Competition closing date Fri Sept 15. Because the competition is limited to 16 teams, a draw will take place on Sept 18.