TURNING down that final pint at last orders could not only spare York City fans a nasty hangover, it may also help Chris Brass solve any transfer market headaches.

City's latest income-generating scheme is called "Pints for Players" and calls on all supporters to give up one alcoholic drink a week to help the club bounce back into the Football League at the first attempt.

All money donated will go towards City's fighting fund and the club estimate that if 1,000 supporters were to give up a pint a week for a year, the cash equivalent, based on £2.50 a drink, would be £130,000.

That would represent a huge boost to Chris Brass's player budget and City managing director Jason McGill said: "Any money raised from this scheme will go into Chris Brass' fighting fund to attract players to the club who will bring us the success our supporters deserve next season.

"The great thing about supporter-owned football clubs like ours is that money raised can be ploughed straight into the team.

"The supporters know their donations are well used and money is not spent on director salaries or executive expense accounts."

"Pints for Players" forms are available on the Supporters' Trust website. All supporters have to do to be involved in the initiative is fill in the form printed right.

Forms are also available on the Supporters' Trust web-site HYPERLINK "http://www.ycst.org.uk" www.ycst.org.uk or at the club shop and ticket office. Fans are asked to donate by standing order, cash or credit card.

Player-boss Brass said: "This scheme is a great opportunity for me to build a strong squad next season which will bring us success.

"The great thing about Pints for Players is that fans know their money is going straight into the team and they can see their donations bear fruit on the pitch.

"It gives fans the chance to make a difference and when new players come to the club, they know they have made it happen."

Updated: 10:54 Saturday, May 29, 2004