FORMER team-mates of Paul Aimson have been fulsome in their tributes to the York City legend after he passed away at the age of 64 this week.

Aimson suffered a heart attack and ex-City stalwarts Chris Topping, Graeme Crawford, Brian Pollard, Pat Lally and David Dunmore all gave moving testimonials to The Press when learning of the news this week.

As City's all-time fifth-highest goalscorer, Aimson will always hold a place in the hearts of the club's supporters from a certain era.

Following his death, it is also clear that he was as popular in the dressing room as he was on the terraces during two fruitful spells with the club from 1964-66 and 1969-73 in which he plundered 113 goals.

Topping, now 55, was an apprentice when Aimson first arrived from Manchester City in a £1,000 deal and the pair went on to play together nearly 150 times in the Minstermen's first team on his return from Huddersfield Town.

Recalling his memories, Topping said: "He's got to be up there as one of the best players I played with and was a very good servant to York. Tom Lockie and Tom Johnston both liked him as managers and he came back to help the club at the right time.

"He was mobile with a good touch and could finish. He was typical of a Manchester City youngster really. He came with skill and was cocky.

"He was the perfect man to have up front. You could give him the ball and he would fight for it. He worked hard and he could give a ticking-off but could take one as well.

"Paul was also a very likeable man. He was a good team-mate who socialised as we all did with our wives in that group of players.

"I'll remember some good nights out with Paul when we stayed over after games at places like Torquay. He always joined in and liked a pint of beer.

"I'm just glad Graham Bradbury and Steve Beck from the club organised a reunion with Paul in the summer. He came to York and I was there with the likes of Barry Jackson and Phil Burrows.

"He looked poorly then and it was very emotional, chatting about good, old times for hours and I'm grateful we had that time together."

Crawford, widely regarded as one of City's finest goalkeepers, was between the sticks during Aimson's last two seasons, and was equally impressed by his ability.

He said: "Paul was one of the best centre-forwards York City ever had. As well as scoring, he could bring everybody else into play.

"He was an unselfish centre-forward but still got his goals as well. He gave 100 per cent in every game and was a real crowd-pleaser.

"He was also a really nice, genuine lad who always helped the younger players. It is a sad loss for his family and he will be one of the legends that will be remembered at York City for a long time."

Pollard echoed Crawford's sentiments about Aimson's attitude towards the club's next generation of players having made his debut at the age of 17 alongside the then 28-year-old striker in a home game against Rotherham in March 1972.

"To this day, I remember Aimy coming up to me before my debut and telling me all I had to do when the ball was cleared up to him was keep running and he would flick it on," Pollard recalled. "He said he would look after me and he did.

"He made that game so easy for me because I had only played for the reserves before then and he was such a nice man."

Likewise, Lally found a friendly face in Aimson when he made the long move to Bootham Crescent from Millwall in 1971.

He said: "He was a totally genuine and honest man and one of the first to take me under his wing when I moved to York. He was there to give me his time if I needed any help and he is a sad loss.

"His ability to get the best out of players around him and to find space for himself in and around the penalty box made things easier for other players. His work ethic and attitude to the game was also fantastic and he was a great role model.

"He was a tremendously successful centre-forward and it surprises me he never played at a higher level because he would have done himself justice."

Dunmore played a season with Aimson during the latter's first spell at the club and also has fond memories, saying: "He would do anything for anybody and was a terrific footballer.

"He was great in the air and I can't speak too highly of him. He was a good all-round, centre-forward."

It's Wroe time

NICKY Wroe marked his return to York City's first team by shooting to the top of the Press Player of the Month standings.

Our second-highest rated player in the 2-2 home draw with Kidderminster, Wroe bagged two points.

The midfielder also collected the two bonus points on offer to the player who received the most man-of-the-match email votes from our readers.

Fellow midfielders Manny Panther (three) and Stuart Elliott (one) were the other points-winners.

To be in with a chance of presenting this month's Player of the Month award, email your man-of-the-match selections to dave.flett@ycp.co.uk for any forthcoming games.

Press Player of the Year standings: Woolford 24 points, McGurk 20, Sodje 18, Panther 17, Elliott 16, Robinson 14, Kelly 12, Brayson 9, Farrell 9, Craddock 8, McBreen 7, Evans 6, Parslow 5, Brodie 4, Hegarty 4, Purkiss 3, Wroe 3, Jones 1.

Press Player of the Month for January standings: Wroe 4, Brodie 3, Panther 3, Parslow 2, Purkiss 2, Elliott 1, McGurk 1.

Goals: Sodje 13, Farrell 12, Woolford 6, Brayson 5, Brodie 4, Wroe 3, Elliott 2, Kelly 2, McBreen 2, Lloyd 1, McGurk 1, own goal 1, Panther 1.

Assists: Woolford 11, Sodje 8, Brayson 6, Wroe 5, Brodie 4, Elliott 4, Farrell 4, Panther 4, McBreen 3, Robinson 2, Beardsley 1, Greenwood 1.

Bad boys: Elliott 1 red, 5 yellow; McGurk 5 yellow; Craddock 4 yellow, Panther 4 yellow; Brodie 1 red, 2 yellow, Robinson 1 red, 2 yellow; Brayson 2 yellow, Kelly 2 yellow, Parslow 2 yellow; Beardsley 1 yellow, Greenwood 1 yellow, Woolford 1 yellow, Wroe 1 yellow.