THE finishing touches are being put to York City's party plans for tomorrow's prestigious friendly with Manchester United.

As reported in the Evening Press, City are to use the eagerly awaited fixture as the launch-pad for a fan-friendly new season at Bootham Crescent.

Some 500 kazoos, 1,000-branded York City balloons and 5,000 honey-combed Yorkie chocolate bars, courtesy of Nestl, will be handed out prior to kick-off.

The club is urging supporters to don their Minstermen replica tops and turn Bootham Crescent into a sea of red and white.

The club's long-awaited new public address system will be up and running with disc-jockeys from Minster FM orchestrating the celebrations.

A brass band will provide pre-match entertainment with ten mascots - including City's loveable rogue, Yorkie - joining in the fun.

The mascots, including Ronnie the Rhino, of Leeds Rhinos, Scorch, from Yorkshire Cricket Club, and York Wasps' Wobby will also take part in a half-time five-a-side match.

A souvenir programme, priced £3, will also be on sale.

City will be wearing their new white away strip for the match, meaning United will more than likely be wearing their traditional red strip.

United's own television company, MUTV, are set to broadcast the match live.

City's ticket office has been deluged by press and photographers' passes. The club have issued six times the normal number of accrediation for cameramen.

The York match is United's first senior friendly of the season.

They are sending a mainly junior team to Scarborough tonigh - similar to the side which play against Livingston in Scotland in midweek.

United's official website lists the Bootham Crescent fixture as their first senior friendly of the season, followed by a trip to Shrewsbury on Sunday.

The timetable of events for tomorrow is:

1.30pm: Yorkie and friends distribute goodies to the crowd.

2pm: Nestle Rowntree Brass Band perform on the pitch.

2.40pm: Minster FM's Sara Fellows and Chris Marsden start the pre-match warm-up.

2.45pm: City's new signings introduced to the crowd.

2.55pm: Balloon launch and team line-ups

3pm: kick-off

3.45pm: Mascots introduced to the crowd

3.50pm: Mascots 5-a-side kick-off.