NEARLY 200 golfers converged on Pike Hills Golf Club this year for the York City Past Players Charity Golf Day in support of the “Let’s Get Monty Home” appeal.

Former York City centre half, John (Monty) MacPhail, suffered life changing injuries after an accident has left him hospitalised for the last 19 months.

His family home needs extensive alterations and John will also need continued care and physiotherapy to help his rehabilitation.

Former teammates from Sunderland FC sent two fourball teams which included 1973 FA Cup winner, Micky Horswill, along with colleagues Jimmy Shoulder, Gordon Armstrong and Peter Stronach.

There was a massive turnout of York City favourites, Derek Hood, Tony Canham and Alan Hay who had all played with MacPhail in the famous champions and centurions team of 1983/84 and were joined later by Ricky Sbragia the other central defender of the 101-point champion winning side.

Andy McMillan, Wayne Hall, Nigel Pepper, Ray Warburton, Ian Blackstone, Ian Helliwell, Ricky Greenhough, Nigel Costello, Ian Nendick, David Spofforth and Tony Barratt represented the sides from the 1990’s whilst Graeme Law, Gerry Baker, Ian Robb, Jimmy Crangle, Tommy Stanley, Pat Lally and Graeme Crawford also made appearances in support of the day.

Present day players also entered two teams led by Head of Recruitment David Stockdale, and senior pro Paddy McGloughlin teaming up with Ryan Whitely, Dan Pybus, Lenell John-Lewis, Tyler Cordner, Michael Duckworth and Olly Dyson.

A terrific gesture by the football club was to send the remaining senior squad players to cheer on their colleagues and mix with the all the golfers in the clubhouse.

The 4-Ball better-ball stableford competition was won by “Cop Boys” (94 pts) second came Derek Hood with his Hoody’s Heroes team (93 pts) and third was Play2Par (92pts).

A great day was rounded off by being able to announce £5,580 would be donated to the appeal.

John’s wife, Diane, said “I am speechless.”, whilst daughter, Rebecca, commented: “Wow! This is utterly amazing. Through all the pain of the last 19 months, the one thing that has kept us going is the support and love for dad and to know how much he means to people."