IF York City avoid defeat in their televised match with Burton Albion next month the club will be celebrating their longest unbeaten home run for 11 years.

The Minstermen have not tasted defeat at KitKat Crescent in ten matches since a 2-1 reverse against Exeter in March and, if that sequence is extended to an 11th Conference game, then Billy McEwan's men will boast the proudest home record since Alan Little's side of Dean Kiely, Jon McCarthy, Paul Barnes and Co. marched into the 1993-94 Second Division (now League One) play-offs.

That team rattled up a run of 15 home league games without a loss, which is the fifth-longest run in the club's history.

The club record, remarkably, is more than twice that tally with Tom Johnston's team going unbeaten in 32 Bootham Crescent fixtures from February 1970 to April 1971, starting with a 1-0 victory over Workington and ending with a 1-0 reverse against Oldham.

McEwan would, no doubt, love to set a new standard and, should he succeed, the nearby Groves Hotel can claim a small piece of the credit.

The St Peter's Grove venue is now serving as the team's Saturday lunchtime meeting place prior to home games with McEwan having re-introduced pre-match meals this season thanks to the support of the club's board of directors.

McEwan sees the routine as crucial in his side's preparation for home matches as he strives for the highest level of professionalism the club's financial means will allow.

He said: "It gets the players together at a quarter to 12 because they come from here, there and everywhere. We were reporting at the club for 1.30pm before and, at least now, they won't be stuck in traffic worrying that they're not going to make it.

"I would eventually like to stay overnight for home games so the players that travel can stay in York on a Friday night but, for now, the players respect that the meal is a big commitment for the club to make. We watch Football Focus together and then walk to the ground so it's helped with bonding and team spirit as well.

"There are also meeting rooms and videos for us to use so the hotel's support for its local team has been tremendous because they put me up sometimes during the week as well.

"The meal is always carbohydrates and protein with food like chicken, pasta, toast and scrambled eggs. We are on at the players all the time about eating and living right."

McEwan is ensuring that the same professional attitude towards a healthy lifestyle is permeating its way through the club.

He said: "I look at every player in terms of technical ability, tactical ability, physical ability and emotional ability but the biggest thing that can hold them back is lifestyle. If players want to be amateurs by clubbing and being big-time Charlies then they can let me know because they won't be a Billy McEwan player.

"I'm not saying you have to live the life of a hermit but you have to live the life of a professional sportsman because, if you want to be the best at Conference level, that's what it takes. The other week I had all our apprentices in the firing line in front of me because I heard two of them had been seen drinking in town.

"I did not find out which ones but it's in the rules that if any of them are caught drinking alcohol it will lead to immediate dismissal with no second chances. At that age, you shouldn't be in nightclubs, you should be at home resting if you want to be a good player.

"Otherwise, you will be a Sunday League player and that's not being derogatory to Sunday League players but you have got to have standards to be a professional."

Home runs

YORK CITY

Unbeaten home sequences (League)

32: Feb 70-Apr 71 (1969/70 -1970/71) seasons.

25: Oct 82-Nov 83 (1982/83- 1983/84).

19: Dec 83-Oct 84 (1983/84- 1984/85).

17: Nov 58-Sep 59 (1958/59- 1959/60).

16: Nov 93-May 94 (1993/94)

There are four instances of 14 games without defeat at home - most notably in 1964/65 when all 14 were won (Nov 64-Apr 65).

Are you better than Billy?

THE Evening Press and York City have teamed up to provide our readers with a chance to prove they are budding Billy McEwans.

City's boss has steered his young, newly-assembled side to second place in the Conference table but supporters who feel they could do an even better job in charge of their team than the meticulous Scotsman can test their managerial skills on a new computer game now available in the club shop.

Football Manager 2006, including up-to-date squads, is on sale at KitKat Crescent for £15, which is half its normal retail price, but we have also got five copies of the game, signed by McEwan, to give away as competition prizes.

To be in with a chance of winning the game, please answer the following question:

Who started this season as captain of York City?

Answers should be sent to Louise Jackson, York City Football Club, Bootham Crescent, York, YO30 7AQ.

David McTop of tree

ON-LOAN Darlington defender David McGurk drew level with Clayton Donaldson at the top of our Evening Press Player of the Year standings after his man-of-the-match performance in the 2-1 victory over Canvey Island.

McGurk picked up three points towards the contest with Jamie Price (two) and Chris Porter (one) also getting on the leaderboard after seeing their efforts recognised.

Right-back Price also topped our readers' poll for top man to collect the two bonus points on offer for our Player of the Month award.

To be in with a chance of making the presentation to this month's winner, please e-mail dave.flett@ycp.co.uk with your man of the match for any of City's fixtures in October or drop it in at our office at Sports Desk, Evening Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN.

Latest Evening Press Player of the Year standings: Donaldson 17, McGurk 17, Bishop 10, Dunning 10, Convery 9, Dudgeon 5, O'Neill 4, Merris 3, Peat 3, Panther 2, Price 2, Hotte 1, Porter 1.

Evening Press Player of the Month for October standings (based on Evening Press ratings and including two points per game for the player who polls most man of the match votes from our readers): Donaldson 8, Bishop 4, McGurk 4, Price 4, Merris 3, Porter 1.

Walker Q&A

York Minstermen will host an Evening with Colin Walker at KitKat Crescent Social Club on Thursday night.

City's reserve team coach, who played for Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday, Doncaster Rovers and New Zealand, will be available to answer supporters' questions from 8pm with the bar opening at 7.

Stats attack

Goals: Donaldson 8, Bishop 7, O'Neill 4, Convery 3, Dudgeon 3, Stewart 2, Own Goal 1.

Goal assists: Donaldson 7, Bishop 6, Convery 5, Dunning 4, O'Neill 2, Mansaram 1, McGurk 1, Merris 1, Panther 1.

Bad boys: Dudgeon three yellows; Bishop, Convery, Donaldson all two yellows; Hotte one red; Dunning, Mansaram, McGurk, Merris, O'Neill, Palmer, Peat, Price all one yellow.

Updated: 09:22 Saturday, October 22, 2005