A decade of loyal York Rugby League Club service by former player and coach Stewart Horton was today hailed by chairman Trevor Cox.

The Wasps chairman paid tribute to a "loyal, hard working" servant and declared Horton richly deserved tonight's testimonial game at Huntington Stadium.

'Corgi' Horton's ten seasons with the club will be relived tonight as several stars from past York sides take the field against the current squad.

Ex-Great Britain international Graham Steadman, scrum-half Steve Dobson and former coach Steve Crooks are among those venturing out of retirement for the benefit game, which will be followed by a Sportsmans Dinner in June.

Cox claimed tonight's game signalled an end to the split between the club and the coach, who was sacked in December 1996.

Said Cox: "I am absolutely delighted that Stewart and the club have been reconciled. The dispute was never something that the existing board desired and we are all very pleased indeed that there has been a complete reconciliation.

"I hope his testimonial will be a resounding success because he was a loyal, hard working servant of the club. I intend to support his testimonial dinner in June and I am sure I speak for all my colleagues when I wish him well in the future.

"I think Stewart is a big-hearted man as well as a good player. I am sure he will make a very good professional coach if he comes back into it. I believe tonight will be another test for our team and should be an enjoyable occasion."

Horton joined York in August 1987 in a club record £20,000 move from Castleford Tigers. He went on to make 221 appearances before a knee injury forced him to quit playing in June 1996.

The hooker's coaching career began in January 1995 when he was appointed player coach in succession to Roger Millward.

He was sacked at the end of 1996 and replaced by Dean Robinson but subsequently won damages for wrongful dismissal.

The testimonial is York's final friendly before their second division campaign opens against Bramley on Friday, April 10.

Coach Dean Robinson is down to his last 17 fit players but he has been lifted by the return of Stuart Flowers, who has been limited to one appearance since signing from Hunslet Hawks.

The forward has been sidelined since January after picking up a thigh muscle injury in the friendly with Doncaster Dragons.Mark Cain starts the game at stand-off in place of Lee Hanlan, who has a groin problem, while Andy Hill is missing with a sternum injury.

Said Robinson: "One or two are 50-50 but I would rather they sit this one out and make sure they are right for next week. We have tried to get the players to treat this as they would any other game.

"The opposition will be wanting to throw the ball about and I can see us getting caught out by some champagne football. But it is the last chance for them to make sure they impress me and get into the starting 13 a week on Friday."

He added: "Stewart has been an excellent servant to York as a player and coach and I hope people turn out to wish him the best."Admission prices for tonight's game are £6, concessions £3. All proceeds go towards Horton's testimonial fund.

There will be a Sportsmans Dinner for Horton at York Racecourse on Thursday, June 4. Tickets for the event, which includes an auction, are priced at £25 and details are available from Horton on 01904 421477, Dobson on 01904 621873 or Lea Tichener on 01904 634636.

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