YORK City juniors strolled to second place in last season’s Football League Youth Alliance North-East division and have been walking tall again ahead of the new campaign.

First-team pair Michael Gash and Neil Barrett joined the new intake of first-year trainees and members of last season’s under-18 squad for a three-and-a-half mile sponsored walk that set off from Bishopthorpe Palace.

Coach Steve Torpey also took part as about £1,000 was raised towards the youth development fund aimed at meeting the £38,000, two-year shortfall in funding the U18 side.

The team face their first pre- season test tonight with a friendly at Leeds Met, kicking off at 6.30pm.

Torpey’s teenagers will then entertain York College at the club’s Wigginton Road training ground on Friday at 2pm.

A pig racing night is also being arranged at Bootham Crescent Social Club on October 9 to raise money towards the youth fund.

Tickets can be ordered by visiting www.yorkcityyouthteam.co.uk or by phoning Graham Foster-Vigors on 07798 681182.