YORK City will kick off next season in a new home kit.

The design will follow club tradition and be predominantly red and will continue to be manufactured by sportswear giants, Nike.

City's new strip will be in place for the next two seasons and the blue away kit will still be used for the 2004/2005 campaign.

Fans will be able to get a first glimpse of the kit on Saturday July, 24 when City play in it during the Bootham Crescent friendly against Sheffield Wednesday.

It will then go on sale the following day at the club's Open Day.

The cost of the new home shirt will be the same as last season and managing director Jason McGill, who negotiated the deal, said: "As part of our continuing relationship with Nike Team Wear we will be launching a new home shirt before the start of the season. Prices for the shirts will remain untouched and we will be offering supporters a new exciting kit which will be both fashionable and of the highest quality.

"We can assure supporters the new home kit will now be in place for the next two seasons and that the present blue away kit will be maintained for the forthcoming 2004/2005 season."

Commenting on the club's decision to launch a new home kit, City finance director Terry Doyle said: "Following relegation, we have had to explore every possible avenue for increasing revenue next season. It was very clear that without the introduction of a new home kit we would be without another key income generator and would have had to place more restrictions on Chris Brass' player budget."

Player-manager Brass said: "The quality of the Nike kit is exceptional and the players feel very comfortable wearing it, so I'm pleased our relationship with them will continue.

"I have been involved in selecting the new design and I hope supporters will be pleased with the new-look shirt and will wear it with pride next season."

Supporters can order shirts in advance by contacting Louise Jackson at the club shop.

Updated: 10:18 Saturday, June 05, 2004