Not the latest mean road machine, or even City’s new signing from the Orient, but a music workshop.

Originating from Japan, with the philosophy of "Talent is no accident of birth", the Suzuki method of learning music involves parent (invariably Mum!) and child practising (and often learning) together.

Dr. Shinichi Suzuki believed that given proper training and the right learning environment, all children could acquire what most people call 'talent' but Suzuki preferred to call 'ability'. Starting from a young age, and learning from fellow learners, many Suzuki musicians progress at a faster than normal rate when compared to none Suzuki students. Without signing (not that I could) anyone’s praise, I can think of one 4 year old Suzuki piano player who confidently stepped up to play a classical piece at a national concert in front of 200 people. At 7, she was winning prizes in Under 18 competitions.

In Britain, there is The British Suzuki Institute, affiliated to the world-wide Suzuki organisation. As you might imagine, world wide (and much more local event).

In August, I part attended one such event, The British Suzuki Institute’s annual highlight, a week long residential international workshop held at Bryanston School in Dorset, just a few miles past Saisbury. The school, boasting impressive sporting and music facilities, with Phil de Glanville as an old boy, is set in the middle of nowhere in the rolling Dorset hills. It played host to 550 people, young students from 3 to 18 (and maybe a bit beyond), many accompanied by their parents. There was a significant contingent from Europe (including Italy, Spain and Denmark), USA and Japan.

Everywhere you went, there was music, as well as the classrooms there were impromptu rehearsals and concerts, handballs and a host more besides. Two things struck me, whenever I held a door open for a student, 4 or 18, I received a hearty thank you. When attending some of the concerts at the weekend, whilst the performers were all competent (or much better), one or two mistakes naturally crept in, however, the youngsters never one let a mistake fluster them. They took a deep breath, went back to the start of their piece and continued totally unflustered.

The end of week revue was a joy to behold. A blind pianist / singer who performed "Bohemian Rhapsody" with a voice range that would put Freddie Mercury to shame, a Danish girl with the voice and looks to kill for, dancing cello cases and a young Rolf Harris "Jake The Peg" impersonator were among the highlights. Anyone of whom (and more besides) would go a long way on "X Factor" or "Britain’s Got Talent".

It wasn’t all music, the gym hosted 5 a side every day, and the swimming pool was over subscribed and even I managed a 5 set game of tennis on the grass courts. Modesty forbids me from telling you the score, although I heard City kick off against Histon and was showered by the time Histon scored their consolation goal.

The philosophy behind Suzuki involves starting young, parental involvement, plenty of practice and learning from fellow musicians.

Perhaps footballers could try the Suzuki method. Maybe, they even pioneered the method. Think back to the golden days of rows of terraced houses, not a car in sight, kick abouts until Mum called you back home for bed. Practice made permanent in those days. Maybe Bobby & Jackie Charlton and their Mum, Cissie, were the original Suzuki family. Mum Charlton was an avid supporter of her children's early football, organising game and giving them every opportunity to develop their footballing skills.

Back to the present day and Sir Alex Ferguson has often mentioned a desire to learn the piano So Sir Alex, get a piano into your Carrington training ground and you and the team can all learn together.

Who knows, in a couple of years time, we could have Sir Alex playing at the piano, leading a sing song, "Knee’s Up Wesley Brown", ."Show Me The Way To Score A Goal" and "Underneath The Chelsea". Watch out for Rio Ferdinand doing a solo on Duran Duran’s "Rio". In fact, Rio might be better sticking to suzuki piano, where practice makes permanent. Yyou know what note comes next, unlike the football field where different situations and problems present themselves every match. Like, Holland in August, Manchester City in September and Ukraine this month. Even, if you do make a mistake on the piano, many in a non discerning audience will be none the wiser, unlike the football pitch where individual mistakes affect the whole team.

Meanwhile, back at Bootham Crescent, you might think City have already started to implement Suzuki. The parents of the youth team are heavily involved in the wellbeing of the youngsters at the club, albeit mainly in a fund raising capacity.

Perhaps York City should just stick to the training ground, get the players’ Mums down, and make sure we practice our skills until we make them permanent.