FORMER York City boss Chris Brass has elaborated on post-match hints made after his last game in charge that he had not been able to manage the club his way.

Brass lost his job after the 3-1 home defeat against Forest Green Rovers and, before his subsequent dismissal, he complained about not being in control of certain decisions.

He has now admitted frustration at losing crucial players such as Lee Bullock and Jon Parkin last season and said: "It was difficult at times and decisions had to be made for the football club's sake.

"Every manager wishes he had an open chequebook and can hold on to their better players and build a squad but it was certainly frustrating last season when we were losing our better players and not replacing them. Other matters, however, dictated those decisions.

"It will take time for this football club to bounce back from its past. It's still rebuilding.

"Given time, I think the team would have been able to rebuild it and only the future will show that. If results pick up then perhaps people might acknowledge the little bit I did to help the football club.

"Sometimes you have to do what is right for the club rather than what I felt might be best for me. In an ideal world I would have stood my ground and said I can't let this happen but, looking at the bigger picture, it had to happen. It was frustrating but, in order for the football club to survive, decisions were taken out of my hands."

Slashing the wage bill by two-thirds certainly helped stabilise the club's future even if it hindered Brass' cause.

He said: "I hope I have done enough to put the cog in motion but it will take somebody else now to take it on to the next level.

"When I started the job we did not know whether we were going to exist beyond the season. We did and, fingers crossed, there will be a York City for ever and ever.

"I will be part of the history books for something I did not want to happen but I hope I will also be remembered for the effort I put in during difficult times and now want to make sure I give as much back to help rewrite history as a player."

Despite a tough baptism in the occupation, Brass has also refused to rule out a return to management, saying: "I'd like to but it would be as a manager and not as a player-manager. It's been frustrating but I have not lost my enthusiasm for the game and I have learnt a great deal."

Brass added that he feels confident that he will be comfortable with the switch from manager's office to dressing room, saying: "I addressed the players after being relieved of my duties and it was quite an emotional meeting but I told them I will be giving my all now as a team-mate."

Updated: 12:59 Saturday, November 20, 2004