CAPTAIN Darren Edmondson, goalkeeper Mark Ovendale and defender Chris Smith are among seven York City players that have been told they will be released at the end of this season.

Mitch Ward, Christian Fox, Stephen Brackstone and Stephen Downes are the other four players who have been made offers to terminate their contracts by mutual consent.

The decisions, taken by player-boss Chris Brass, come in the aftermath of York City's relegation to the Nationwide Conference.

It is hoped that all seven players will now accept financial packages to end their contracts before they expire on June 30, which would save the club money and give players the chance to find new clubs immediately.

Ovendale and Ward have already agreed to settlements and Fox and Brackstone are expected to follow suit today.

Goalkeeper Chris Porter has also agreed to sign a new deal to join Brass, Lee Nogan and Darren Dunning on next season's payroll.

The only other players that have so far been offered new contracts are youngsters Lev Yalcin, Matthew Coad, Graeme Law and Sean Davies.

That leaves the likes of David Merris, Richard Hope, Stuart Wise, Richard Cooper, Leigh Wood, Liam George and Andy Bell with chances to prove their long-term worth to the club in the remaining two games of the season.

Brass said: "I have spoken individually to each of the seven players who will not be offered contracts next season and have explained the varying reasons why their services to the club are no longer required.

"Unfortunately in the event of relegation difficult decisions have to be made and you have to reassess the whole situation.

"Primarily this is a cost-cutting exercise and I will be disappointed to lose some of the players.

"On behalf of York City Football Club, I would like to wish the players the best of luck for the future and hope they succeed in finding new clubs.

"It is now time for Lee and I to plan for the future and we have some very firm ideas regarding the type of players we want to attract to the club. We now have the opportunity to learn from this season's experiences and build a team that can bring the club and the fans the success they deserve."

About a new contract for Porter, Brass added: "Chris has agreed to stay and that's pleasing.

"He's done well over the course of the season and will now be given his opportunity so it's up to him to take it and make sure I don't look for another 'keeper.

"I also think the younger 'keepers like David Stockdale and Aaron Reid are progressing well and will push him (Porter) next season."

Updated: 10:11 Thursday, April 29, 2004