Safety Match

ON THE BALL: Scott Jordan (centre) returns to York City's midfield tomorrow for the crunch clash at Maine Road

No less than Manchester United were then routed by the Bootham Crescent brigade. Now the task is to avoid defeat at Manchester City's Maine Road fortress and banish all fear of being sucked into the relegation vortex in tomorrow's final day of the season.

Danger is flashing. If York lose, and both Oldham and Wycombe win, that combination will dump City to the basement next term.

Said Jordan, the only survivor from that team that humbled the Red Devils 3-0 likely to play tomorrow: "That night at Manchester United was the best in my career. Everyone expected them to beat us.

"It might be the same expectation at Maine Road. But we mustn't forget that Manchester City are still only a Second Division team.

"We've beaten them already this season and I see no reason why we should be afraid of going there to get something out of the game.

"Every one of the lads is looking forward to the match and playing in front of a big crowd will give us a lift. We've got one more game now to save the season."

Another spur for City was the dread of having to perform in the basement, said Jordan, who, besides bagging what proved to be the decisive City strike in the Coca-Cola Cup home outing against Manchester United, was also on target in York's previous final-day great escape act at Brighton later that season.

"It's obviously a harder game than Brighton because they were already down. All the lads have talked about not wanting to be stuck in the Third Division next season, so it's up to us to get ourselves out of this."

Jordan will be the one definite change, the midfielder returning after missing the last three games with a groin injury.

Caretaker-manager Neil Thompson was however being cagey as to who would make way for the man he described as one of City's best players since he took command.

"There are a few things to think over and I might leave it right before the kick-off," said Thompson. "But if Scott shows no reaction to his first training session yesterday then he will definitely play."

Eager to confirm his own status as permanent City boss Thompson declared tomorrow was not about one person, but the entire club. And he ventured such collective spirit would net the required result for survival.

"It's Man City's party, but we will be there to spoil the celebration," he said. "Okay, they are Man City, but we have beaten them and we are well capable of beating them again.

"This is about everybody, it affects everyone connected with the club. We have got to be disciplined and not get picked off. But we have also got to play with pride, with heart, and be prepared to give everything.

"This is a game for strong minds and brave hearts and we are going into it with confidence."

The hosts - expecting their biggest home crowd since their top-flight days - will give late fitness tests to captain Andy Morrison and striker Shaun Goater.

A young York City Reserves lost their final Pontins League division two game of the season yesterday, going down 1-0 at Bradford City to a Gareth Grant goal. York will still finish in the top six.

It's no-go, Joe

A regal record is held by York City over Manchester City leader Joe Royle.

Amazingly, Royle has never led a team to victory over the Minstermen as a manager.

Despite his dozen years in charge of Oldham, the paths of the Latics and City never crossed during that time.

Royle's first encounter against York was in 1996 when, then in charge of FA Carling Premiership Everton, he suffered the Blues in a Coca-Cola Cup clash.

City drew 1-1 at Goodison Park and then completed the job at Bootham Crescent, where they prevailed 3-2 for a 4-3 aggregate win.

And of course in the only League meeting between York and Manchester City the honours went to the Minstermen last December when a late goal from debutant Andrew Dawson sealed a compelling 2-1 triumph.

Denying Royle a fourth time would guarantee the keys to the Division Two kingdom for the men of York.

Advice for travelling fans

City's 350-plus legion of fans, who are travelling to Maine Road by Travel Club coaches, have been urged to follow several guidelines.

Any fans who have bought tickets by Visa and have not yet collected them should do so before boarding the coach and they should also stick to the coach numbers they are given. Six TC coaches are to set-off from Bootham Crescent at 12noon with a family coach leaving an hour earlier.

Supporters are reminded also that no alcohol is allowed on board and that they are to re-take their places on the same numbered coach as soon as possible after the game is over.

Due to the large number of fans travelling by coach there will be no parking inside Bootham Crescent before setting off for Manchester.

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