York City boss Billy McEwan has vowed to fill KitKat Crescent with a successful team.

The City manager is convinced that given time, despite the club's current lowly position in the Conference table, he can create an attractive and winning side in York.

But McEwan has also appealed for the continued understanding and patience of the club's supporters.

He said: "I know we have 2,000 loyal fans but I want to get 6,000 and I will do, don't worry about that. That's one of my goals - to fill this ground.

"I did it at Rotherham and I will do it here but the only way I can do it is if people give me time to build a football club. You can't do that overnight.

"It takes time, hard work, endeavour and patience. I am the most impatient patient there is but I feel lucky that the majority of our fans understand our problems.

"The fans have been great to me so far and it was excellent what they did for the reserves. I know that won't last forever if I don't get results but I just want to be given the chance to turn this club around.

"When I leave here, I want to be remembered for the good job that I did. If I can pull the club around, it will be my biggest achievement and I have won championships.

"I perhaps didn't realise how tough the job was but this is not an ordinary Conference club. It is one with a lot of tradition and I know we can achieve things again with the help of the fans."

McEwan reiterated that decisions over how many players will be retained and released will not be made until the end of the season when he will be informed what budget he has to spend.

The City boss said: "It will be down to finances who we can bring in. Our finances are a problem and you need money to bring in the experienced players I would like.

"At the minute, we are shopping at Netto and are a long way from Harrods but we won't be paying inflated money this summer for players to play in the Conference. I also know players that would come because of me but don't want to drop into the Conference, which disappoints me but I can understand them."

Tonight's squads

Carlisle v York City

Nationwide Conference

(at Brunton Park)

Carlisle (probable): Glennon, Beharall, Gray, Livesey, Cowan, McGill, A Murray, Lumsden, Murphy, Holmes, Hawley. Subs: Coyles, Billy, Vieira, G Murray, Arnison.

City (probable): Porter, Law, Davis, Armstrong, Smith, Paul D Robinson, Yalcin, Donovan, Dunning, Merris, Bishop. Subs: Jackson, Groves, Stockdale, Stewart, Paul Robinson.

Referee: Dave Foster (Tyne & Wear)

Kick-off: 7.45pm.

Updated: 10:18 Tuesday, April 12, 2005