Time to heed what Billy needs

Liverpool enjoyed its benefits for 26 years under the tutelage of Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan.

All three worked together at Anfield and simply passed the managerial reins from one to the other during times that brought unprecedented and unrivalled success.

At a lower level, Crewe Alexandra have reaped the benefits of employing Dario Gradi since 1983 with a non-stop stream of young talent rolling off the Gresty Road conveyor belt.

Crewe might now be locked in a Championship relegation battle but Gradi's future should never be in doubt.

The Gresty Road club were perennial re-election seekers until Gradi's arrival and to say the club has punched above its weight ever since is akin to pitching Amir Khan in the ring with Lennox Lewis.

Comparisons have always been rightly made between City and Crewe's contrasting fortunes since Alan Little's side beat the Railwaymen under Wembley's Twin Towers in the 1993 Division Three play-off final.

Amazingly, Gradi has never been lured to a top-flight club but Crewe have been transformed by the stability his tenure has ensured.

It is for this reason that it is to be hoped that Billy McEwan continues as York City's manager next season.

Three different bosses in little more than three months is unsettling and a fourth appointment this summer would bring even more uncertainty to KitKat Crescent.

Despite McEwan's comments that he would be thinking of his future at the end of the season after the 6-0 defeat at Carlisle United, the recent sounds City's determined manager has been making would suggest that as long as the board can match his ambitions and desires for the club -- obviously within its strict financial restraints -- then he will stay.

Anybody who has met and spoken to McEwan cannot fail to be impressed with the meticulous, thoughtful and intelligent Scotsman.

His attention to every detail of a football club is eye-opening and his ideas for the future of the club highly encouraging. On early evidence, the board should be applauded for his arrival.

The former Rotherham and Sheffield United manager's tactical acumen and organisational skills were also witnessed in the back-to-back wins over Exeter and Barnet.

McEwan's next test -- probably his biggest yet -- will be how he taps into his big book of contacts to attract new players who can help the club improve on this season's painfully low league position within the club's modest resources.

Former manager Chris Brass was recently publicly criticised by a board member for committing last season's entire playing budget early on a squad that was "nowhere near right".

Hindsight, though, is a wonderful thing and, at the time, most people, presumably including the board who must have sanctioned each new transfer, believed Brass had assembled a capable squad.

Former million pound striker Paul D Robinson, to take one example, scored nine goals in 23 starts for League One outfit Hartlepool last season.

It would be harsh and a shame if Brass is to be held up as a scapegoat when his worst crime was probably inexperience, having been thrust into the job at the age of 27, given a long-term contract on the basis of half-a-season's results and then entrusted with a budget to spend despite the club being relegated from the Football League.

There should be a collective responsibility at the club for what has happened and the mistakes that have been made.

Pointing the finger of blame is normally futile and all efforts should now be directed towards helping Billy McEwan fulfil his vision for the club.

Dave's the fave from '04-05

DAVE Merris was being presented with his Evening Press Player of the Year award at this afternoon's final match of the season against Farnborough.

The former Harrogate Town full-back won the award for his performances down the left flank for the Minstermen based on our ratings throughout the 2004/2005 campaign.

Enjoying a six-point gap over nearest rival Kevin Donovan, Merris could not be caught at the top of our standings before today's game, although Andy Bishop and Paul Groves could still claim the runners-up spot.

Merris will receive a trophy as well as £750 in vouchers that have kindly been donated by Mont Blanc as part of our Player of the Month partnership with Preston and Duckworth Jewellers.

The final recipient of a Preston and Duckworth and Evening Press Player of the Month award will be Graeme Law, who was leading the standings during a depressing April ahead of today's game.

Other winners were Bishop (August), Gary Pearson (September), David Stockdale (October), Merris (November), Donovan (December), Chris Porter (January), Groves (February), Jon Maloney (March) and Graeme Law (April).

Law (three points), Donovan (two) and Bryan Stewart (one) were our three highest-rated players during the 0-0 home draw with Dagenham and Redbridge. Stewart claimed two bonus points by topping our readers' poll.

Byron Webster (three), Kyle Armstrong (two) and Andy Bishop (one) took the dubious honours at Canvey Island. Webster also got the supporters' vote.

Current Evening Press Player of the Year standings: Merris 28 points, Donovan 22, Bishop 20, Groves 20, Maloney 20, Dunning 18, Porter 17, Paul D Robinson 17, Stockdale 16, Pearson 10, Law 9, Brass 8, Davis 8, Yalcin 8, Davies 7, McGurk 7, Paul Robinson 7, Stewart 7, Webster 6, Grant 4, Nogan 3, Smith 3, Armstrong 2, Arthur 1, Crichton 1, Staley 1.

Preston and Duckworth Jewellers and Evening Press Player of the Month for April final standings: Law 6, Webster 5, Davis 4, Donovan 4, Yalcin 4, Merris 3, Paul D Robinson 3, Stewart 3, Armstrong 2, Jackson 2, Porter 2, Bishop 1, Dunning 1.

Brian's place in the sun

YORK City youth coach Brian Neaves has ended his 18-year association with the club.

Neaves is moving to Spain to live with his wife Jen where he plans to work at a soccer schools, as well as carrying out scouting duties.

Having helped establish youth football in Poppleton, Neaves joined the Minstermen's coaching staff on a part-time basis in 1987.

He has, since, coached youth players in a full-time position for the last seven years and has overseen the development of the likes of Jonathan Greening, Richard Cresswell, Nick Culkin and Lee Bullock.

Neaves and his wife also looked after City's trainees at the club's former Grosvenor Terrace property.

City communications director Sophie McGill said: "We thank Brian for his years of dedicated service and the positive impact he has made on football in the city. We wish him well for the future and hope he will continue his ties with the club."

The club's Player of the Year awards will be presented from 2.35pm before tomorrow's match.

Updated: 10:10 Saturday, April 23, 2005