York City boss Chris Brass has thrown cold water on suggestions that he could become the next manager of First Division Burnley.

Stan Ternent's departure has led to speculation about his successor at Turf Moor and Brass' name has been put forward as a possible candidate by the Lancashire media.

Despite City's relegation to the Conference, Brass has had playing offers from other clubs recently and he has also won certain admirers during his first season as a manager at the age of 28.

But the City player-boss confirmed that there had been no official approach from his former club and pointed out that even if there had been he remains committed to his role at Bootham Crescent.

He said: "I think everybody knows my feelings towards Burnley but York City is now etched into my heart. I have still got a job to do here and would never walk out on this club until whatever circumstances take me away.

"It's flattering to have my name banded about but I'm still on a big learning curve and, whatever I have learned, I will be using to York City's advantage. I also think it would be far too soon.

"I have a lot of admiration for Stan Ternent and feel sorry for him. I know what he's done at that football club and I would like to turn things around at York City in the same fashion as he has done at Burnley."

Other names linked with the Burnley post include Rotherham boss Ronnie Moore, whose son Ian is a striker with the Clarets, ex-Wrexham and Swansea boss Brian Flynn, who is an ex-Burnley player, Steve McMahon, Blackpool's manager, and former Burnley hero Mike Phelan.

Elsewhere, City's reserves finished their season with a creditable 2-2 draw at Newcastle after goals from Kane Ashcroft and trialist striker Nathan Bailey.

Former Reading forward Bailey has now scored twice in two second-string matches and will be invited back to City for pre-season training in the summer.

Brass said: "He needs games but he's scored two in two and is known as a goalscorer. He's someone we are looking at with the possibility of coming to some arrangement when we find out what budgets we will have.

"We would like him to come back in pre-season because even though we are looking for experience up front he has shown enough. We will give him an opportunity to impress in the summer and then it's up to him whether he takes it."

City defender Richard Hope has been offered a new contract to keep him at Bootham Crescent next season.

Hope will return to the Minstermen's side for Saturday's trip to Swansea after serving a two-match ban and City boss Chris Brass hopes it will not be his last game for the club.

The 25-year-old defender signed for City last summer on a free transfer from Northampton.

Brass said: "I have spoken to Richard and he wants to stay. I'm not sure what the terms will be as yet because of our budget but we are not a million miles away from an agreement.

"Having released eight players last week, I now want to go the other way and get the ones that I want to keep signed up."

Brass, his assistant Lee Nogan and Darren Dunning have all signed new deals for next season with goalkeeper Chris Porter having verbally agreed terms.

Teenagers Lev Yalcin, Graeme Law, Sean Davies and Matthew Coad have also been offered professional contracts.

The Bootham Crescent futures of David Merris, Stuart Wise, Leigh Wood, Liam George and Andy Bell remain in the balance.

Former City striker Peter Duffield has been released by Carlisle, who have been relegated to the Nationwide Conference along with the Minstermen.

Updated: 10:55 Thursday, May 06, 2004