IT was an audacious appointment. When the York City board chose Chris Brass as the new player-manager, he became the youngest Football League boss for 50 years.

Brass had no management experience but many fine qualities. He was an inspirational skipper. His commitment on the pitch and his ambassadorial role off it, as a leading light during City's fight for survival, made him a favourite among the faithful.

Nevertheless, it was a gamble, both for the board and for Brass. At first they seemed to have hit the jackpot as City topped the Third Division table.

This proved to be a false dawn. A calamitous loss of form last season saw City ejected from the Football League after 72 years. Hopes that the club would bounce straight back from the Conference faded after a miserable run of defeats.

The final straw came on Saturday. Before travelling to York, lowly Forest Green had conceded nearly three goals a game. They thrashed an abject City.

In the end, results count. And on that basis Brass had to go.

Fans today will question whether inexperienced directors got too close to their first manager. They must rue awarding him a three-year contract in January.

Brass's replacement has to be a seasoned manager who can turn the team's talents into points. Unless that happens quickly, crowds will dwindle, and all the hard work to establish a community club planning to move to a new stadium will be under threat.

Updated: 10:03 Monday, November 08, 2004