IF lessons are to be learned from last season's dramatic tumble out of the Football League, it is that all talk of reaching the play-offs must be banished now and York City must first concentrate on preserving their presence in the Nationwide Conference.

That is the stark reality now facing caretaker boss Viv Busby, who has correctly said that survival must be the Minstermen's first priority.

Relegation to the Nationwide Conference North and its implications, however painfully unthinkable, is currently a possibility and its avoidance needs to be the focus of everybody at the club.

Last season's long-time comfortable mid-table position seemed to breed a complacency about the Bootham Crescent's Football League status that was difficult to shake once the downward spiral consumed the club.

It's a football clich but no club is too big to go down and the Minstermen, with one of the division's highest wage bills and largest average attendance, must address the urgency of their situation and protect themselves from becoming the first former League club to fall through the Conference trap door.

That is not being pessimistic, negative or a panic mongerer just realistic as 17 matches is normally a fair barometer of a side's expectations for the season.

City went into today's home game with second-placed Carlisle United fourth-bottom in the table after four straight defeats and eight matches without a win.

Third-placed Halifax are next up for City before a crucial trip to second-bottom Northwich Victoria, whose playing record would place them nine points clear of the relegation zone had it not been for their ten-point administration deduction.

The Vics' form this season is more indicative of a club capable of occupying a mid-table position and City must also be wary of improving Forest Green Rovers who, in the Conference's second top scorer Charlie Griffin, could boast the goal power to fire themselves to safety.

The Minstermen's class of 2004/2005 must now draw upon pride in their club's traditions and history.

No former League club has suffered a bottom-three finish in the Conference since automatic relegation from Division Three was introduced in 1987.

It is also, in general, a fallacy that relegated teams struggle in their first Conference term.

Only Doncaster Rovers (16th) and Halifax Town (13th) have occupied positions outside the top eight in their maiden non-League campaigns while Lincoln City and Darlington bounced back as champions at the first attempt and Shrewsbury Town were promoted via the play-offs last season 12 months after leaving the Football League.

Long-term solace for City fans could be provided by the fact that seven out of the 11 clubs that have been relegated since 1987 have regained their League status although, one of them, Halifax are now back in the Conference.

Table-topping Barnet are also looking to add to that statistic with City's fellow Conference new boys Carlisle in hot pursuit.

Hereford United, Scarborough and Exeter City are the other three teams hoping to soon rejoin the 92-club.

City can consign those thoughts to the future unless a quick upturn in form and results dictates otherwise.

Ace Merris majors in ascent

DAVID Merris was the biggest mover in our Player of the Year and Month contests after the 1-0 defeat at Woking.

The former Harrogate Town full-back (pictured left) earned the maximum three points for being my choice as man of the match against the Cards and is now second behind Player of the Year leader David Stockdale.

Teenage goalkeeper Stockdale picked up two points from the match and full debutant Lee Grant one.

Aston Villa loan defender Grant was also the winner of our fans' poll for top man at the Kingfield Stadium and received another two points in the Preston and Duckworth Jewellers and Evening Press Player of the Month for November table.

To have your say in who wins this month's competition, don't forget to send us your man of the match for this afternoon's home clash with Carlisle.

E-mail your selection to dave.flett@ycp.co.uk or drop it into our 76-86 Walmgate offices and you could also be the lucky reader chosen to make the presentation at Bootham Crescent, as well as receiving a Tissot watch, worth £350, courtesy of Preston & Duckworth.

Current Player of the Year standings: Stockdale 16 points, Merris 13, Dunning 12, Bishop 11, Robinson 11, Pearson 10, McGurk 7, Stewart 6, Yalcin 6, Groves 4, Davies 3, Davis 3, Nogan 3, Brass 2, Donovan 2, Law 2, Arthur 1, Crichton 1, Grant 1.

Preston & Duckworth Jewellers and Evening Press Player of the Month standings: Bishop 5, Merris 4, Grant 3, Stockdale 2, Yalcin 2.

Five to come

YORK City will not be in action next weekend as scheduled opponents Exeter City will be on FA Cup duty.

But high-flying neighbours Halifax Town will visit Bootham Crescent a week on Tuesday, followed by a crucial clash at lowly Northwich Victoria.

City's next five matches after today are: Tues, Dec 7 - Halifax Town (H); Sat, Dec 11 - Northwich Victoria (A); Sat, Dec 18 - Crawley Town (H); Sun, Dec 26 - Scarborough (A); Wed, Dec 29 - Burton Albion (H).

Get into photo groove

YORK City fan Garry Beckett is putting together a new publication based on fans' own snapshots of City's best and worst days.

In a unique fund-raising initiative, Garry, the author of 'York City Memoirs', hopes Minstermen supporters can help to raise cash for the football club by delving into their photograph albums.

Garry hopes to produce a book that will document and celebrate City's supporters down the years, through good times and bad, concentrating on their magnificent support and incredible achievements, which were capped by the 2003 rescue of the club when it was heading for oblivion.

All profits from this "album" of fans will go directly to the club and Garry is now looking for as many crowd scenes and pictures of supporters as possible.

Any photographs you think would be appropriate should be sent with details of names, venues and dates (if possible) to Garry at 37 Cambridge Road, West Molesey, Surrey, KT8 2AU.

Meanwhile, digitial pictures can be sent on CD or by email to garry.beckett@ntlworld.com

Updated: 10:22 Saturday, November 27, 2004