LEE Nogan hopes to continue playing - until at least the end of the season.

Speaking for the first time since his departure as York City's player-coach, the 35-year-old former Welsh international said he is not quite ready to hang up his boots just yet.

He left KitKat Crescent last Thursday after a settlement was 'mutually agreed' to end his four-year relationship with the club.

He said: "I will be looking to maybe play to the end of this season.

"Right now, I'm going to take a week or so off and then see if anything crops up. But I feel I've got at least another year in me yet whether that's part-time or whatever."

Nogan backed City's playing staff to climb out of the lower reaches of the Conference.

He said: "There is more than enough in the team now to avoid relegation and do all right as long as they don't want to get any more injuries - they've got enough as it is.

"They also need some players in - and that's something I've said all along. Personally, I feel they need to bring in three or four players to strengthen the squad."

He added: "Obviously I'm disappointed with the way things have happened with Viv (Busby) going as well as myself. It's been disappointing and I feel for the players. I have not really had a chance to say goodbye because it was done so quickly."

Nogan signed for City almost four years to the day of his departure and has endured relegation and endless wrangling over the future of the ground.

He said: "It's been hectic the whole time I've been here where things on the pitch have not been great as well as things off it. It's been hard work - but I have enjoyed it and have no regrets.

"It's been difficult, especially in the last 18 months or so where there has never been enough money but certain things happen that you can't talk about."

"When it comes down to it your family comes first and however much you try not to, you do end up taking it home. My family are happy that I'm leaving.

"I have had a bit of stick recently but I've had it before and I can handle that. I understand the supporters' frustrations.

"I was supposed to take more of a backwards step this year and we brought in a couple of forwards but they didn't hit form and it wasn't working out."

Despite recent harsh receptions he added: "I would just like to thank the fans for the support for the four seasons that I have been here.

"I have always given my all to the club and I sincerely wish them all the very best. I hope I have left my mark in a good way. I was very disappointed after last season but that's gone now and I am hopeful that York will get back to where they should be and have some success soon."

"York City is a great little football club right from the girls in the office down to the groundsmen and it deserves better.

"I just hope they can turn things around. It needs financial backing from somewhere most definitely, if it is going to get back into the League."

Updated: 10:12 Tuesday, February 15, 2005