YORK City have pulled off another major pre-season coup with Leeds United set to visit Bootham Crescent for a friendly.

Leeds are promising to bring a squad made up largely of first teamers for the game on Wednesday, July 23, kick-off 7.45pm.

The visit of the Premiership outfit, who can draw on massive support in North Yorkshire, is sure to be a big money-spinner for the Minstermen and is another eagerly anticipated curtain raiser for the City faithful.

Gate receipts from the match will be split between the two clubs.

Sunderland are also pledging to bring their first-team squad for a pre-season friendly on July 16.

Derby rivals Scarborough visit Bootham Crescent on July 26 with Scottish Premier League outfit Livingston arriving on July 31.

Ticket prices for the Leeds game are - Main Stand £15 (£7 concessions), Family Stand £12.50 (£3.50 concessions), Popular Stand £13 (£6 concessions), terracing £12 (£5 concessions).

City are offering a special package for fans in the David Longhurst Stand who intend to attend all four pre-season friendlies - £30 adults (£15 concessions).

Tickets for the Leeds game will be on sale from next Monday.

City boss Chris Brass said: "We received a call from Leeds United yesterday requesting a pre-season game and we jumped at the opportunity. They have guaranteed a majority first team side which is fantastic and I'm sure the game will prove a tremendous experience for the lads involved, especially our younger players. We will now be playing four home games pre-season that guarantee to be entertaining for our fans as well as providing excellent preparation for next season."

City chairman Steve Beck added: "We are delighted our Premiership neighbours Leeds United are supporting us in this way. We expect to see some big names appearing for Leeds and hope the game will be well supported by both sets of fans.

"Leeds United have agreed to split the gate receipts 50/50 for the game which will give us an unexpected cash boost, generating more important income for the club."

The chance of playing Leeds has meant City will return home a day early from their Staffordshire pre-season training camp at Keele University. The Minstermen were due to stay at Keele from July 18 to 24.

City were also due to play non-League Newcastle Town while in Staffordshire but that match has now been called off.

Leeds boss Peter Reid requested the friendly with City after the late cancellation of the Whites' pre-season tournament in Switzerland.

United were scheduled to be playing in the Geneva tournament on July 22 and 23, featuring Bayer Leverkusen, Boavista and hosts Servette.

His first-team squad were travelling to Switzerland so it seems likely that the same players will be on duty at Bootham Crescent instead.

Which Leeds stars will be on show will be open to conjecture as several have been linked with other clubs throughout the summer, particularly Australian international Harry Kewell, whose agent says he is wanted by six clubs - AC Milan, Barcelona, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United plus an unnamed club.

As well as a mouth-watering list of pre-season fixtures, City have also agreed new sponsorship and kit deals with Phoenix Software and Nike in a what has proved a lucrative closed -season for the Minstermen.

Chris Smith, Graham Potter and Christian Fox were still mulling over contract offers today as the City first team squad returned for the start of pre-season training.

All three players are still weighing up the offer of fresh deals from new player-boss Chris Brass.

However, while the trio have still to commit themselves to City all were expected to attend today's first training session under Brass and his assistant, Lee Nogan.

Updated: 10:55 Tuesday, July 01, 2003