KEEPING former manager Terry Dolan and his assistant, Adie Shaw, on the Bootham Crescent pay-roll for the remainder of their contracts is expected to cost York City more than £70,000.

The figure is included in the accounts released by the football club this week, covering the three-month period from when the Supporters' Trust took control of the cash strapped Minstermen to June 30, 2003.

Although Dolan and Shaw are not mentioned by name, the balance sheets confirm the club anticipates spending £72,000 on "exceptional redundancy costs".

At the end of last season, the club announced it was making the positions of manager and assistant manager redundant as part of a cost-cutting exercise.

Skipper Chris Brass was later installed as player-manager with team-mate and striker Lee Nogan appointed to the post of player-coach.

However, while Dolan and Shaw were relieved of their duties, the duo were not sacked and remain on the wage-bill at Bootham Crescent.

The club said at the time the contracts of both Dolan and Shaw would be honoured.

City also stated they were not in a position at the time to make a cash settlement with the duo which would bring their employment to an end before the expiry of their notice periods.

The actual sums involved were never disclosed, nor was the length of the notice periods Dolan and Shaw were entitled to.

However, the Evening Press speculated Dolan was due a year's salary and Shaw six months under the terms of their contracts.

The accounts published this week confirm as much.

The report states: "On May 31, 2003, as part of the financial restructuring of the football club, two employees were given notice of termination of their contracts of employment.

"On June 30, 2003, there remained 11 months and five months outstanding on their contracts of employment.

"The accounts contain a full provision for the anticipated costs of fulfilling these contracts as the individuals concerned will play no further active role in the management of the club."

The news of the £72,000 pay-out to Dolan, who declined to comment today, and Shaw comes after the club reported it was losing £25,000 a week in the three months following the Trust take-over.

The club has stated its finances have "significantly improved" since but has urged supporters to continue supporting the team through the turnstiles.

The club accounts also reveal £1,000 per month is paid to City director Jason McGill in rent for the club's former property on Grovesnor Terrace, which provides accommodation for the club's trainees.

As revealed in the Evening Press, McGill bought the property for £300,000 when the club was in administration.

The acquisition of the property was deemed vital to satisfy the bank and clear the club's overdraft so that the Supporters' Trust's rescue package could be completed.

It is understood the mortgage on the property is more than double the rent McGill, who was free to rent out the property to other parties, receives from the club.

Explaining City's decision to retain the house to home City's youngsters, City finance director Terry Doyle said: "It allows us to continue to provide good facilities for the youth trainees.

"Bearing in mind they are the future of the club, that is clearly important."

Updated: 11:17 Thursday, September 25, 2003