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Free admission for kids to provide perfect tribute to York City fan
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| Dawn Holtby |
CHILDREN will go free at York City's Blue Square Premier match with Ebbsfleet on Saturday at KitKat Crescent - thanks to one of the club's greatest fans.
All youngsters under 16, who are accompanied by an adult, will get into the David Longhurst Stand for nothing in a fitting tribute to Dawn Holtby.
Dawn, who died of cancer in December last year, was a lifelong Minstermen supporter and was greatly involved with a host of activities at the club.
On Saturday, friends and family of Dawn will gather to celebrate her life and, in tribute, her friend Mick Horswood has arranged for a "significant" four-figure donation to be made to City from her estate to allow youngsters to watch York for free.
Mick said: "Dawn was York City through and through. It was her biggest love. She was taken to her first match by her dad and never looked back.
"She always recognised the importance of encouraging the next generation of fans and Dawn's friends and family felt this would be a fitting tribute to her by encouraging as many kids as possible to come along and support their local team."
Twenty-six of Dawn's family and friends will enjoy club hospitality on Saturday as part of a match-day partner package and Dawn's nephews and nieces will also be mascots at the game.
Mick added: "April 1 would have been Dawn's 50th birthday. We wanted to have the opportunity to celebrate her life and do something positive.
"We hope as many people as possible will come along to the game and gain free entry for their kids and other children they know."
Dawn, who worked for Nestlé, had sold programmes at home games since 1990 and was first taken to Bootham Crescent when she was just nine-years-old.
By the late 1970s, she had started working for City behind the bar in the vice-presidents' lounge and later worked in the boardroom on match-days. Between 1983 and 1993, Dawn was also a steward on York City's coaches to away matches.
Friend and lifelong City fan Marie Barker said: "Dawn would be so pleased the money will help youngsters as she always had time for the kids who supported York City.
"She believed they were the future of the club and there are adults now who, when they were youngsters, would have benefited from Dawn's encouragement and help.
"She always fought for York City even during the bad times. She was the eternal optimist."
Free admission to the David Longhurst Stand will be for all children under the age of 16 who are accompanied by an adult. The offer still applies if an adult brings more than one child.
Sophie McGill, City's communications and community director, said: "Dawn was a very special person whose memory will live on at York City. What a fantastic tribute to her to encourage kids to watch City free.
"We are very grateful to Mick Horswood and Dawn's family for the significant donation which has been made to the club from her estate. We hope fans will come along on Saturday to boost the crowd and join us to celebrate Dawn's life."
10:24am Thursday 27th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Terry Raspberry, York on 10:49am Thu 27 Mar 08
This is an excellent jesture
This is an excellent jesture
Posted by: Monkey, Newcastle on 11:34am Thu 27 Mar 08
Perhaps the club could do something like this anually as a tribute?
Perhaps the club could do something like this anually as a tribute?
Posted by: york81, York on 12:02pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Lets hope we get over 4000 there!!! Get behind the team and finished the season on a high!!!!
Lets hope we get over 4000 there!!! Get behind the team and finished the season on a high!!!!
Posted by: ianbenton, Devon on 12:35pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Fair play guys, I didn't recognise the name being from Devon but having seen the picture I remember going to BC as a child and buying my programme from Dawn and always remember her at away games.
Great idea from a great family, perhaps the club could think up more ideas to get as many kids to BC as possible from now until the end of the season, they look up to players like McGurk, Woolford, Sodje.........
Fair play guys, I didn't recognise the name being from Devon but having seen the picture I remember going to BC as a child and buying my programme from Dawn and always remember her at away games.
Great idea from a great family, perhaps the club could think up more ideas to get as many kids to BC as possible from now until the end of the season, they look up to players like McGurk, Woolford, Sodje.........
Posted by: A user, Selby on 1:04pm Thu 27 Mar 08
It's a great idea and to be applauded. I stopped going and taking my 8 year old son earlier this season due to the fact that there were some "supporters" in the pop stand using regular foul & abusive language. It's those idiots who are driing the crowds away, not just the quality of football. My son does not mind too much about the quality - he just loves being there and the atmosphere. Perhaps better stewarding to rid these fouls mouth idiots would help increase crowds at the club.
It's a great idea and to be applauded. I stopped going and taking my 8 year old son earlier this season due to the fact that there were some "supporters" in the pop stand using regular foul & abusive language. It's those idiots who are driing the crowds away, not just the quality of football. My son does not mind too much about the quality - he just loves being there and the atmosphere. Perhaps better stewarding to rid these fouls mouth idiots would help increase crowds at the club.
Posted by: A user, Selby on 1:05pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Now I'm going for a new draobyek.....
Now I'm going for a new draobyek.....
Posted by: ianbenton, Devon on 2:10pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Not sure cutting out swearing is the answer, I know I do it especially with the frustrating refs and poor performances we often see.
Could we invest in YCFC ear muffs for children if we want to protect them that much. But when they get home they prob kill people on their computer games and watch films and listen to music packed with swear words anyway !!
Not sure cutting out swearing is the answer, I know I do it especially with the frustrating refs and poor performances we often see.
Could we invest in YCFC ear muffs for children if we want to protect them that much. But when they get home they prob kill people on their computer games and watch films and listen to music packed with swear words anyway !!
Posted by: york4life87, York on 3:11pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Whats wrong with the Family Stand then User?? I think you'll find you get that at every football ground, as venting your feelings during a match usually includes words of that nature, if things are not going right.
Whats wrong with the Family Stand then User?? I think you'll find you get that at every football ground, as venting your feelings during a match usually includes words of that nature, if things are not going right.
Posted by: Paolo, Dundee on 7:54pm Thu 27 Mar 08
I'm not sure it's just the swearing that's the problem User. It's the mind-numbing negativity from some of the cretins in the Pop stand that's the biggest problem. I would think it would be pretty hard to explain the meaning of the word 'supporter' if some of those idiots are all a youngsters got to go by.
Getting back to Dawn, a magnificent gesture, and I'm sure a true City fan would be very happy.
I'm not sure it's just the swearing that's the problem User. It's the mind-numbing negativity from some of the cretins in the Pop stand that's the biggest problem. I would think it would be pretty hard to explain the meaning of the word 'supporter' if some of those idiots are all a youngsters got to go by.
Getting back to Dawn, a magnificent gesture, and I'm sure a true City fan would be very happy.
Posted by: DaveH, Leamington on 8:08pm Thu 27 Mar 08
As a junior red in the 80's I remember Dawn too, such a shame. Thanks for all you did for the club Dawn you will be sorely missed.
As a junior red in the 80's I remember Dawn too, such a shame. Thanks for all you did for the club Dawn you will be sorely missed.
Posted by: Claire, York on 9:19pm Thu 27 Mar 08
on the swearing comment 'user',think that pathetic 2 be honest bet youre kid knows more swear words than u!and on the negativity comment paolo 99% of pop stand regulars r true fans i agree u do get the odd cretin that has nowt good 2 say but same goes 4 every stand,they da same people who treat brodie discgracefuly and now suddenly seem 2 be keen on him,one word fickle
on the swearing comment 'user',think that pathetic 2 be honest bet youre kid knows more swear words than u!and on the negativity comment paolo 99% of pop stand regulars r true fans i agree u do get the odd cretin that has nowt good 2 say but same goes 4 every stand,they da same people who treat brodie discgracefuly and now suddenly seem 2 be keen on him,one word fickle
Posted by: A user, Selby on 11:06pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Thanks for that Claire. Please don't judge others by your own pathetic standards. I/we should not have to sit in the "family stand" to enjoy a game of footie! My child has only sworn once in my earshot and got a right bollocking for it - as he'd tell you himself. I'm a responsible parent who has values I'd like my child to aspire to. Nobody is perfect but surely constant swearing at your own players does not pass on a good example to minors.
Thanks for that Claire. Please don't judge others by your own pathetic standards. I/we should not have to sit in the "family stand" to enjoy a game of footie! My child has only sworn once in my earshot and got a right bollocking for it - as he'd tell you himself. I'm a responsible parent who has values I'd like my child to aspire to. Nobody is perfect but surely constant swearing at your own players does not pass on a good example to minors.
Posted by: Claire, York on 11:29pm Thu 27 Mar 08
2 be fair the swearing is generally aimed at the truly shocking officials which a regular would no and be fed up about,and as a kid i was brought up 2 believe swearing was unneccesary and certainly didnt swear in front of my dad,cant say going 2 games and hearing swearing ever had the slightest impact!!go and watch selby instead they play crap football but fans language impeccable
2 be fair the swearing is generally aimed at the truly shocking officials which a regular would no and be fed up about,and as a kid i was brought up 2 believe swearing was unneccesary and certainly didnt swear in front of my dad,cant say going 2 games and hearing swearing ever had the slightest impact!!go and watch selby instead they play crap football but fans language impeccable
Posted by: Paolo, Dundee on 12:33am Fri 28 Mar 08
Claire, aka Ali G, fickle sums it up right enough, I think we must have some of the most fickle fans in the country, and my comment about 'supporters' stands, fans they may be, supporters they most definitely aren't and judging by some of the idiotic comments every week, they haven't got the first clue about football either, possibly why they're not bright enough to construct a single sentence without an expletive in it.
Claire, aka Ali G, fickle sums it up right enough, I think we must have some of the most fickle fans in the country, and my comment about 'supporters' stands, fans they may be, supporters they most definitely aren't and judging by some of the idiotic comments every week, they haven't got the first clue about football either, possibly why they're not bright enough to construct a single sentence without an expletive in it.
Posted by: Claire, York on 5:40pm Fri 28 Mar 08
respect,boyakasha
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