York City's glamour Worthington Cup clash against First Division high-fliers Sunderland will not be all-ticket.

City club secretary Keith Usher confirmed today that tickets for the first leg of the glitzy first-round tie to be played at Bootham Crescent on Tuesday, April 11, will be available to buy in advance to all parts of the ground.

Stressed Usher: "It will not be all ticket as far as we are concerned."

This was despite forecasts from Sunderland that at least 2,000 fans will make the journey from Wearside for the plum clash just four days into the 1998-99 campaign.

City hope to release details of ticket arrangements early next week for the start of the competition which has succeeded the former Coca-Cola Cup after a massive £23 million sponsorship deal over the next five years signed with brewing giants Bass. The tie, which has absolutely thrilled City boss Alan Little, will be completed the week after the Crescent collision with City's first visit to Sunderland's lavish Stadium of Light on Tuesday, August 18. Both games will kick off at 7.45pm.

The clash will inevitably stir up memories of City's Coca-Cola Cup glories over both Manchester United and Everton, knocked flat out by the Minstermen in 1995 and 1996 respectively.

Among the City ranks in the epic exit of the Red Devils was midfielder Darren Williams, who a year later moved to Sunderland in a £150,000 deal.

The 21-year-old Williams has since starred with the Wearsiders in central defence, where he graduated to England under-21 and England 'B' duty last season.

City have twice before met Sunderland in the old League Cup, each time in the opening round, with the clubs sharing a victory apiece.

In 1986 City stunned their then Roker Park hosts with a 4-2 first leg triumph decorated by a hat-trick from Keith Walwyn. In the return City were beaten 3-1 after extra-time, but edged into a second round showdown with Chelsea on the away-goals rule. However, revenge was gained by Sunderland two years later when a goal-less draw at Bootham Crescent was followed by a 4-0 win at Roker Park.

Meanwhile, Scarborough boss Mick Wadsworth was today relishing a return to former club Barnsley in the Worthington Cup, writesStuart Martel.

Wadsworth was anticipating a full house when Barnsley visit the McCain Stadium on Tuesday, August 11, while Boro travel to Oakwell in the second leg the following week.

Wadsworth enjoyed three years as youth team coach at Barnsley in the early 1980s and then a further year as assistant manager.

"It is a great draw," said Wadsworth, whose players began pre-season training yesterday.

"It is great for me and Ray McHale. I went back there with Norwich and we got a draw and I am looking forward to it."

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