York teenagers may get the chance to re-create England's World Cup glory days by taking on their German counterparts at football ... all in the cause of improving international relations.

The 1966 football rivalry is being revived as part of fresh efforts to forge new links between York and its twin city of Munster.

The idea springs from the latest exchange visit of people from York to the German city, after which organisers decided to build on the two countries' shared love of sport.

Bill Shaw, chairman of the York-Munster Association, said: "There is a great feeling that people can find an activity base or interest of their own which they can share with people in their twin city."

Now Pike Hills Golf Club and a club in Munster are discussing the possibility of exchange visits, while a German tennis club is investigating the possibility of playing some matches in York.

A group of German teenagers is also keen to come over and play against teams in York.

The latest exchange visit was hailed as a great success by Mr Shaw and he is making fresh appeals for people to get involved in creating even closer links between York and Munster.

Mr Shaw said: "The depth of feeling of the people of Munster wanting to make and keep closer contacts with the people of York was very clear from the civic representatives and citizens and family hosts.

"A great opportunity now presents itself to York to meet this."

Mr Shaw said: "The people and groups in Munster are ready to exchange, they still value contact with us, they still see the need for western European nations to maintain strong links and to understand each other's culture and ways of doing things."

Highlights of the latest trip to Munster included a visit to the city's Christmas market, with its particular interest in relation to York's St Nicholas Fair.

The visitors met the Mayor of Munster in the city's Peace Hall during their trip, were treated to a dinner at a typical German pub, given a historical tour around the city centre and taken on a brief visit to the Stadt Museum.

Anyone interested in taking part in moves to bring York and Munster closer together is asked to telephone Mr Shaw on 01904 640979.

See Twin Towns

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.