Straight to the top

NO ONE should underestimate the size of the burden that has been placed on Chris Brass' young shoulders. He may well have been an inspirational captain, as York City chairman Steve Beck said when he announced Chris' appointment as the Minstermen's new player-manager last week.

But leading on the field and leading from the dugout are quite different. Chris, at 27, is the youngest manager in the Football League for 50 years.

Age is not everything, however. As captain, Chris led his players to the brink of the play-offs this season, despite the club's at times desperate financial straits.

He proved himself to be a cool head under pressure, and a natural leader. And he knows the size of the challenge ahead. "I will throw myself into this 110 per cent," he said last week. "It is the way I have played the game and it is the way I will manage."

No one could fault him for attitude. The job he has now is translating that into results on the field.

He's not alone, however. Others before him have shouldered the burden of responsibility at a young age. We spoke to some of the region's other young high fliers to find out how they coped and to see what advice can they can give City's young manager.

Gordon Gibb, 27, owner of Flamingo Land and chairman of Bradford City FC

Who better to advise the football league's youngest manager than its youngest chairman? Gordon says it is important for Chris to be his own man, and not to let himself be imposed on by older but not necessarily wiser heads.

"I'm sure Chris has been chosen for a good reason, and he should be confident in that," Gordon says. "He should look on his age as a positive rather than negative thing. There can be a perception that people who have been in their jobs a lot longer than you have know more than you. But I think in football how things used to be done is, as a rule of thumb, a good example of how things should not be done. Chris needs to keep it fresh, keep it creative and he could represent a bright new future."

He will need to be able to assert himself, fight his corner, make tough decisions then see them through, Gordon says.

"If you let other people impose themselves on you, there is no need for you to be there."

If necessary, Gordon adds, Chris will need to be prepared to let people go. There will be no room in his squad or management team for anyone who wants to live in the 'comfort zone'. That's not ruthlessness, Gordon insists. People should be given the chance to do things the way Chris wants them to be done.

"And if they are not doing it, they need to be in different jobs. If you've given them the chance, then it's down to them. It's their decision."

Gordon knows how tough it can be at the top. He was in his early twenties when he took over at Flamingo Land after the death of his father. He had no time to prepare, and was in a sink-or-swim situation. He swam. Visitors have been increasing every year - and this year has seen a £7 m illion expansion of the theme park and zoo.

Taking over the chairmanship of Bradford City last August was just as tough, he admits. Because of the financial problems at the club, there was a lot of bad feeling. "But I was the cure, not the cancer," he says.

Nearly a year on, he has managed to turn things around, proving that guts, determination and ability make a good boss, not age. "In years I'm 27, but in terms of business experience I don't really have to justify myself any more. I'm a veteran," he says.

Tom Sharp, 27, co-owner of York publishing and promotions company Stone Soup

Age doesn't need to be a big barrier, insists Tom, who set up Stone Soup with his business partner Andy Milson and another friend a few years ago. "If you're good at what you do, you have the right motivation and you do it to the best of your ability, people respect you and will work with you."

Being young helped when it came to setting up Stone Soup, Tom admits. The company scooped the top business award for sustainable development at this year's Yorkshire and Humber Shell Livewire Young Entrepreneur Awards. It specialises in publishing local guides and magazines, such as h:ere, the magazine that was a kind of York Time Out. It also stages events such as the York Comedy Festival.

"So being young and part of the scene is a big advantage," Tom says.

The other big advantage of being young, he says, is that you've got plenty of energy and enthusiasm. "I'm sure Chris is passionate about football," he says. "I think much more than experience and money, if you're passionate about something and believe in something, you can do really well."

William Derby, 32, chief executive and clerk to the course at York Racecourse

Mr Derby, who took over as boss at York Racecourse this season, says age is not an issue. He quotes legendary Liverpool FC manager Bill Shankly: "If you're good enough, you're old enough".

So how do you get to become a winner at such a tender age in the competitive world of horseracing?

"It's enjoying what you do, and being passionate about what you do," Mr Derby said. "And asking for support from seasoned professionals.

"I know Chris does both these things.

"What you lack in experience, you have to draw from other people, work as a team. Really listen to people, and go with your own instincts and judgement."

Working under him at the racecourse are 55 full-time staff. On race days, swollen by the ranks of caterers and other part-time employees, that number reaches 1,700. But Mr Derby has not felt any resentment or lack of respect towards him, despite his relative youth.

"People have been very kind to me, and very helpful. I haven't found anyone who's had any trouble with my age.

"No one's interested in anything other than are you good enough to do the job?

"The main thing is to really believe in what you are doing."

Mr Derby is one of several racecourse bosses from a younger age group. "There's a new generation of people who are very customer-focused, very much wanting to change some of the existing stuffiness that might be around certain sports.

"It is customers of my age that are racegoers. It helps that you can relate to people who go to sporting venues."

Updated: 11:25 Tuesday, June 10, 2003