York City boss Billy McEwan has thanked all the people who helped raise the £10,000 needed to run a reserve team next season.

McEwan made his appeal for outside funding in the Evening Press just three weeks ago and the target was met more than a fortnight before the deadline set for City to reverse their decision to hand their notice in for next season's Pontin's League.

The Minstermen manager also reiterated that keeping the reserves will also save the careers of certain young players who might have otherwise been released in the summer.

McEwan said: "It's fantastic news. I'm delighted and it's a tremendous effort.

"It just shows there are people out there loyal and behind us who are willing to help the club and I want to thank them for that because it's a big bonus and very much appreciated.

"The money will not be wasted and it will help with the development of York City Football Club.

"I am sure some of the younger boys will be relieved and breathing a big sigh of relief. It gives them an opportunity to kick on and helps the club build for the future.

"These people have put their hands in their pocket and, with the way of the world these days, there's not too much money about.

"Some people have given money for the first time but others have made past donations as well as paying every week to watch the team and the players have been made aware of that."

City's reserves were making their final away trip of the season this afternoon to Notts County.

Veteran Paul Groves was the father figure of the young team, being 19 years older than any other player in the proposed starting line-up.

Meanwhile, Dave Merris has been receiving treatment on a thigh strain this week and first-team top scorer Andy Bishop has not trained since being replaced because of his knee problem early in the second half against Gravesend and Northfleet.

City Reserves: Stockdale, Staley, Baynes, Ashcroft, Groves, Davies, Kamara, Webster, Paul Robinson, Arthur, Stewart. Subs: Green, Reid, Foote, Lyon.

Updated: 10:54 Wednesday, April 06, 2005