SIX of York City's under-16 squad have been offered two-year apprenticeships at KitKat Crescent.

Four of the youngsters - Mark Holt, Ben Thornton, Michael Walsh and Chaz Wrigley - are York boys while Jon French is from Billingham and Danny Phillips hails from Ripon.

French is a 6ft 1in striker who joined the club two years ago from Middlesbrough's Marton Boys Club.

Holt is a 5ft 10in right-sided midfielder who arrived three years ago after a spell with Barnsley.

Phillips is a relative newcomer, having arrived from Ripon City Panthers last March, but the 5ft 8in central midfielder has impressed over the last year.

Thornton - a 6ft 1in centre back - has been with the Minstermen five-and-a-half years and joined from Hamilton Panthers.

Walsh joined City from Poppleton at the age of ten and is another six-footer, who can play in defence or midfield.

Striker Wrigley rejoined the club in October 2003 having left for 18 months and is 5ft 10in tall.

Updated: 09:55 Tuesday, March 08, 2005