REDUNDANCIES and pay-cuts are two of the off-field consequences of York City's relegation to the Conference.

Just weeks after Chris Brass released 11 players at the end of last season, the club have officially announced that commercial manager Peter Salter will be leaving the club, along with part-time club shop assistant Dinah Smith and part-time ticket office assistant Kay Fosh.

The club shop will also be reducing its opening hours to 12noon-2pm on weekdays from mid-June although match-day times will remain the same.

City finance director Terry Doyle said: "Faced with relegation to the Conference and a significant reduction in income, the board has had to undertake a review of all costs at the football club. We entered into a consultation process with all of the club's employees and have considered all of the suggestions made by our staff.

"As a consequence, many employees have volunteered to take significant decreases in their salaries or have offered to reduce their hours in order to save costs and assist the club. We would like to express our gratitude to these individuals.

"Sadly, our review concluded York City Football Club is unable to justify a full-time commercial manager in the Conference. As a result, this position has been made redundant and Peter Salter will be leaving the club during the close season."

Commenting on Salter's departure, chairman Steve Beck added: "Peter has been a great servant to the club and is a popular character with both the staff and fans. The board of directors would like to thank him for all his efforts over the years and wish him well for the future.

"Peter is always welcome at the club and we hope he will continue to show his support for York City. Relegation brings difficult financial decisions and tough choices have to be made in the best interests of the football club.

"It has been an awful time for everyone and it is sad we have had to face this situation and the harsh realities of football."

About Smith and Fosh's exits, Beck added: "The board thanks Kay Fosh for her efforts over the past year and would specifically like to express our gratitude to Dinah Smith for all her dedication and commitment to York City over the past 16 years."

The restructuring will result in increased responsibility for current sales/administrative assistant Louise Jackson, who will take over certain duties Salter previously performed.

Other commercial activities will be out-sourced on a commission only basis.

Doyle said: "The review of operations showed that 85 per cent of all club shop sales were shirts and most sales take place on a match day. To reduce costs next season, we have decided to only open match days and weekdays between 12.00pm and 2.00pm.

"We hope this is helpful to supporters who may want to visit the shop during their lunch hour. Merchandise will also be available from our online shop which will appear on the club's official web-site prior to Christmas."

City's club shop will be open from 9am-5pm during this month's half-term week and there is currently 50 per cent off all items.

Updated: 11:05 Monday, May 31, 2004