FORMER York City and Scarborough player-manager Neil Thompson is Leeds United's new Academy manager.

Thompson, 40, was a defender with the Minstermen, Barnsley and Hull as well as being at Scarborough with current Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell, who was Boro's goalkeeper.

He has been out of the game since being sacked by Boston United earlier this year when Steve Evans returned to replace him after a takeover.

Thompson, who fills the gap left when Andy Ritchie moved to the Barnsley Academy, will do much of the coaching at Leeds' Thorp Arch Academy.

Thompson took over from Alan Little as City manager in March 1999 but his first season saw the club drop into the Third Division after relegation was confirmed on the final day of the season.

He stayed in charge for the next campaign but was replaced by Terry Dolan in February 2000, failing to complete a full year in the Bootham Crescent hot-seat.

Thompson managed City in 45 games but lost more than half of those matches, winning only 11 and drawing 11.

He became manager of North Yorkshire neighbours Scarborough in October 2000 where he lasted another 11 months before departing the McCain Stadium.

Boston provided his next taste of management with Thompson taking over the reins from Evans in the summer of 2002 and guiding the Pilgrims through their first Football League season.

But he lost his job this February when Evans was reinstated after his ban from football for financial irregularities expired.

Meanwhile, City's trip to Morecambe on Tuesday, October 5 will now be televised live by Sky TV.

It follows Sky's decision not to screen next month's City v Hereford match because of a scheduling oversight.

City would expect to net around £3,000 from the screening.

A party of City youngsters and trialists will make the short trip to Flaxley Road tonight to take on Selby Town (7pm) in the annual The Top Shop Trophy pre-season match.

Chris Brass' senior squad continue their build-up to the season with a game against a Middlesbrough XI at Bootham Crescent tomorrow night (7.45pm).

Former City loan striker Jon Shaw's club Sheffield Wednesday have rejected a bid from Darlington. Shaw arrived at Bootham Crescent in November and played eight times for City but didn't score a goal.

Updated: 10:32 Tuesday, July 20, 2004