YORK City boss Chris Brass hailed the club board's decision not to scrap the reserve team for next season.

Said a relieved Brass: "Keeping the reserves is definitely the way forward. We will have to make cost-cutting exercises on it but it will be beneficial to the squad and the football club as a whole.

"When you take the decision to get rid of the reserves it's difficult to get back into the Pontin's League as has been shown at other clubs. There are all sorts of fines involved.

"I think it would have been a step back because we need to keep stability for the sake of our youngsters' progression. We talk about gulfs between divisions but I think there's a massive one between youth and reserve team football.

"You play against older, cuter players in the reserves and learn about the nasty side of football. Results also matter more the further you progress and they are of great importance when you make the first team.

"It might mean some playing for both the reserves and juniors and you have to be careful with youngsters playing too many games but I know some can handle it."

City's managing director Jason McGill said: "Initially we feared the budget would not allow for this, but I'm pleased to say reserve team football will continue. I think we all recognise the reserve team is an excellent vehicle for the development of young players which is increasingly important to the club.

"We aim to hold the reserve team fixtures on Monday evenings in the hope that they will be well supported."

Brass has also begun speaking to the players he would like to keep next season who will be out of contract in the summer. He is optimistic that centre-back Richard Hope will agree new terms.

He said: "The players I want to keep know the contracts are there. I have found out the rough estimates on budgets which will allow me to sit down and get them tied up. I want that so they can go away for the summer relaxed.

"There's one or two we might have to wait on and be cute in the current market.

"Richard Hope has been one of our most consistent performers and it's a case of making sure he's happy with what we throw at him but I can't envisage any problems. His signing would help the kids because he gives us a physical presence and we are looking to attract more physical players."

Updated: 10:51 Friday, May 07, 2004