CHRIS Brass is demanding York City put friendships to one side tomorrow and get mean and moody.

Boston United will arrive at Bootham Crescent with no fewer than five former Minstermen in their ranks.

Matt Hocking, Chris Hogg, Graham Potter and Peter Duffield could all feature in the Pilgrims squad bossed by former City chief Neil Thompson.

Brass, however, is adamant City will not be rolling out the welcome mat for ex-City colleagues.

"I will be pleased to see the lads who have had an involvement here but for that 90 minutes they are here on Saturday they are the enemy, as simple as that," said a defiant Brass.

"I have played against some very good friends in football but it is always the same. They know I'm not a very nice person when they come up against me and that ruthless streak is what I expect from my players.

"You have to put friendships aside because once you get out there on that pitch it is a battle and you have to make sure you win that battle.

"I'll buy them a pint and tell them how badly they played afterwards."

Potter and Duffield, should they play, are sure to receive a mixed reception from the City faithful.

Potter spurned a contract offer from Brass in the summer to join Boston, while striker Duffield quit the club at the height of City's financial problems last season.

Duffield insisted he never wanted to leave City, but the club's precarious future meant he could not afford to turn down Boston's offer of a two-year contract.

That will cut little ice with City supporters but Brass said he fully understood the reasons for Duffield's departure.

"I've said before, had he stayed I think we would have made the play-offs but, unfortunately, when he left the goals dried up," said the City player-boss.

"Myself and Jon Parkin publicly stated our decision to stay but we stayed for our reasons.

"Duffs was at that stage in his career when he was getting the security of a two-year contract when no-one knew we were going to have two weeks at York City.

"I think had those circumstances not been as they were, I'm sure he would still be playing for York City."

York City (possible): Ovendale, Cooper, Smith, Brass, Hope, Merris, Ward, Dunning, Bullock, Parkin, Nogan. Subs from: Porter, Wood, Dove, Crowe, George, Brackstone.

Boston United (possible): Bastock, Beevers, Ellender, Hocking, Hogg, Angel, Bennett, Clarke, L Thompson, Weatherstone, Akinfenwa. Subs from: Croudson, Balmer, Jones, Duffield, Brough, Sutch.

Referee: Tony Leake (Lancashire)

Kick off: 3pm

- The one previous League meeting at Bootham Crescent between the clubs ended in a 2-0 win.

- The game was staged on August 26, 2002, and City lined up: Beresford, Edmondson (Wood), Smith, Brass (Hobson), Cowan, Brackstone, Bullock, Potter, Parkin (Rogerio), Nogan, Duffield.

- Playing links include Ian Winters (in the 1940s), Alan Woods, Mick Laverick, Neil Grayson and Ray Warburton along with Neil Thompson, Peter Duffield, Graham Potter, Matt Hocking and Chris Hogg.

- Stats by David Batters

Updated: 10:49 Friday, October 17, 2003