York City were breaking down the barriers with the men in black this week.

Football League referee Matt Messias was spotted at the City training ground joining in the players' fitness work and 'officiating' small-sided games.

Messias, a PE teacher in Thirsk, had telephoned City chief Terry Dolan asking if he could train alongside his players and the York boss was only too happy to oblige.

For Messias, the initiative served a double purpose - improving his fitness for the coming season but, perhaps more importantly, enabling him to get to know the players better.

"I am able to see things from a player's perspective and hopefully they can see me as a human being," he explained.

Messias, who was in charge of this afternoon's Division Three clash between Barnet and Mansfield, plans to foster the relationship further.

"Terry has said it is okay for me to come down regularly and anything that can help break down the barriers between referees and clubs can only be a good thing.

"I have always said I would love to get more involved with clubs on a day to day basis but the problem is referees all have to work.

"I am fortunate in that I am a PE teacher so I have got some time off which means I can do this.

"I would love to be able to come down all the time and if we went professional I could see myself linked to York City and training with them every day."

Coming in a week when referee Mark Clattenburg, following his dismissal of York skipper Peter Swan, did little to promote good-will between City players and officials, Dolan revealed his delight at the arrangement with Messias.

"I have always said it should happen. They get to know what makes the players tick and vice-versa," he said.

COMING to a television screen near you soon, York City's three musketeers of Barry Conlon, Mark Sertori and Barry Jones.

A film crew from Sky Television's Soccer AM paid a visit to the club's Wigginton road training complex on Monday as part of a new feature for the Saturday morning programme focusing on players in the lower leagues.

The film crew was led by John Fendley - better known as Fenners to viewers of the four-hour live footballing extravaganza - a former St John's College and Nestle Rowntree player.

York were the first club selected by Sky to take part and with Soccer AM kicking-off a new series this morning, the City players are set to feature over the coming weeks.

Needless to say, the City trio will not be winning any Oscars for their performances. And it was a good job the crew brought a few extra rolls of film as Barry Conlon's shooting, normally so unerring in its accuracy, had a decidedly off-target day!

CAPITAL gains and net benefits for the London and the South Branch of the York City Supporters' Club.

The thriving fans' group has now got its own web-site - www.yorkcitysouth.co.uk - to spread its message worldwide.

But the branch also make essential reading in this month's Time Out magazine - the London bible to what's hot and what's not in the big smoke.

Written by City fan Chris Salmon, the full-page article includes a great picture dominated by City shirts and smiling faces.

The York City Football Club official website www.ycfc.net is now up and running and available to Minstermen fans around the world.

The site features information about the City squad, fixtures, ticket information, news and results.

The site also has a direct link to our Evening Press match reports - available on www.thisisyork.co.uk - for fans unable to see City live but want to relive the action.

This afternoon's game, at home to Cheltenham, will be updated on our website tonight.

The Evening Press York City website has also undergone a summer revamp, with new player profiles, club history and pictures. It is the only City website that is updated three times daily.

THE Supporters' Club recruitment drive is almost a third of the way towards its 1500 target and representation on the City board.

At the last count, 470 fans have joined the association - almost double last year's membership and the season just one week old.

WITH Terry Dolan's Minstermen set to welcome Stoke City to Bootham Crescent on Tuesday for their first round first leg Worthington Cup clash, a nap hand of Minstermen fans are looking to show their heroes the winning way forward.

League Cup sponsor Worthington has launched the Worthington Fives - the first ever amateur five-a-side tournament giving fans the chance to represent their nominated pro-club in a national event.

Replicating the League Cup format, the York City side will play their counterparts from Stoke City in tomorrow's preliminary and first round games in Manchester.

The York side will be led by the appropriately titled Bootham Tavern landlord Paul Worthington and also includes his area manager, Guy Wilkinson, hairdresser Alan Wilkinson, Mal Sharpley, of Portakabin, and fireman Kevin Hodgson.

Mirroring the format of the Worthington Cup, the tournament will feature sides representing all 92 clubs over seven rounds in total.

The overall winners will play in front of a full house at the Worthington Cup final and scoop an all-expenses paid trip to watch a top European fixture.

YORK City Ladies Football Club are in action tomorrow when they entertain a touring American team, from Anne Arundel College, Maryland, at York RI's New Lane ground, kick-off 1pm.

TRAVEL Club bookings are now being taken for City's upcoming away matches, starting at Carlisle on Friday, August 25.

The coach departs Bootham Crescent at 4.15pm, priced £10 for members and £12 for non-members.

The trip to Darlington, on September 2, leaves York at 1pm and costs £7 members, £9 non-members.

For the Worthington Cup first round, second leg tie at Stoke City's Britannia Stadium on September 6, the Travel Club coach will leave Bootham Crescent at 3pm, priced £11 and £13.

To book a place telephone the City club shop on 01904 624447 extension 4.

PICTURE: CAUGHT ON CAMERA: York City defender Mark Sertori, who is set to appear on Sky Television's Soccer AM football show

dave.stanford@ycp.co.uk