Young player of the year Graeme Law says the hunger in the youth ranks will help drive York City back into the Football League at the first possible opportunity.

The 19-year-old right-back was one of three teenagers making their first start for the Minstermen on Saturday and believes the drive and enthusiasm of the youngsters will play a vital role in City's revival.

He said: "The key to getting up will be sticking together, having a really good team spirit and working hard. The ability's there - no question.

"We have had quite a lot of youngsters this year. It's made us learn quicker, especially with what's happened, and everyone is working really hard.

"The good thing about having younger players is they are all really hungry to get on and get in the team."

Law has been with City since he was ten years old - the year that City won promotion to Division Two at Wembley. And witnessing those modern-day highs in City colours continually stokes the fiery ambition in the young defender.

He said: "I first signed for York when I was ten and there are a few who signed when they were 13 and 14. Because everyone has been at the club for a while, it means a lot to them and makes it more painful when you look at the situation at the moment.

"I was at all those big matches in the early 90s and it makes you even hungrier to bounce back into the League as soon as possible."

He added: "I have got my contract for next year and I want to be in the team that gets us back up into the League first time round.

"The lads that are here are good enough to do it and my aim is to be in there and helping to make it happen.

"I want to play at the highest level I can - last year I played for Scotland Under-19s. But the first thing for me to do is to establish myself in the first team at York City."

Law made several appearances on the bench as a first year trainee but only made his bow against Macclesfield in early April before making a second appearance at Doncaster Rovers two weeks ago.

But on Saturday, he made his first start along with fellow youth trainees Adam Arthur and Bryan Stewart in the emotionally charged atmosphere of Bootham Crescent in City's last Division Three home game for at least a season.

He said: "It was a bit strange because of the circumstances but the crowd gave us a great reception and that really made a difference.

"When we heard the news, everyone was absolutely devastated but the way the crowd was was amazing. You want to win it for them really. It's boosting everyone, knowing they are behind you.

"But it was brilliant and I really enjoyed it. It was great to finally get a chance to make my full debut - I have been waiting for quite a while.

"I also got the youth player of the year award afterwards and I wasn't expecting it at all. It was a really good surprise and made a great day for me even better.

"This is my final year in the youth team and it has been a great experience. Brian Neaves and Paul Stancliffe have done a great job bringing us all on and I think that shows with the amount of youth team players coming through into the first team like me."

Updated: 10:55 Friday, May 07, 2004