Evening Press sports writer TONY CURTIS gives his verdict on the appointment of 27-year-old Chris Brass as the new York City player-manager...

HONESTY. Realism. Team spirit.

Those four words will be the platform from which new York City player-manager Chris Brass will attempt to build for the coming season - and how refreshing they are to hear.

Brass has obviously learnt well over the past two seasons and is ready to finally give the fans what they want.

When ex-chairman John Batchelor breezed into Bootham Crescent with talk of City reaching the hallowed money fields of the Premiership and of a luxury all-seater stadium, it was easy to see how people got carried away.

Then there was the appointment of former England striker Luther Blissett, while as the season went on, the talk was of big-money sponsorship deals being in the pipeline.

But, ultimately - and for whatever reason - Batchelor could not live up to his promises. And it was the players who were hit the hardest, as Batchelor quickly went back on his word that they would not be paid late again, which signalled the beginning of the end of his tenure at City.

But while Batchelor broke his promises, he could not break togetherness at the club, with the players banded together in the dressing room by none other than Brass.

And it is this grounding that has helped Brass mould his visions for the future.

With the exuberance of youth - it is hard to believe Brass is still 27 - the former Burnley man could have been forgiven for using Wednesday's press conference as the stage to boast of big, wild plans, maybe even talk of promotion all the way to the bright lights of the Premiership.

However, Brass, flanked by chairman Steve Beck and finance director Terry Doyle, exuded a calmness and a maturity as he spelt out his message.

There was no talk of playing the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal on a regular basis, or of recruiting Samba stars like Ronaldinho. Just honest, plain-talking facts.

"What has happened before has put me in good stead, that is the basis to build on," said Brass. "The lads here know how York City works and they know we can't go off and offer ridiculous contracts.

"This is not fantasy football, it is the real world and I will look after them, but everything will be within reason. We have to be realistic in everything we do.

"We are very fortunate to be sat here with a football club with everything that has gone on, and I have to take my hat off to the supporters for that and I don't think that this opportunity would have arisen unless they had saved the club."

Players and fans alike do not like being taking for a ride - and in the 2,500 hardcore on the terraces and the other nine contracted first-team players, Brass has a group of individuals burnt by past events.

But in Brass as the boss, they have one of their own. Here stands a man that has been through the rough with them, who has faced Christmas with no wages, who has stood on the terraces with them when injured and come through it all with the Billy Fenton Memorial Trophy to show for it - 27 in age maybe, but he has a years of experience others can only envy.

Easington-born Brass may be a self-confessed Sunderland fan, but there can be little doubt that when it comes to the Minstermen he has put his heart and soul into the cause.

But that was just as a player. Brass now goes one step further and puts his reputation on the line as a commander-in-chief.

He knows before he was judged just as a player, now he will be judged on results and the performances of his team.

The pressure is invariably on, but you wouldn't be able to tell.

"I will be honest with the players," he says in a relaxed way which belies his years. "This is the way I liked to be treated as a player so I will treat them the same.

"The group of ten players that we have got at the club know how things work and the team spirit that we have built up will be vital to any success.

"It helped us last season, so we will need it again to take things forward on to the next level.

"I want this to be a success but I know that, whatever I do on the field, I will no longer be judged as Chris Brass the player, but as Chris Brass the manager and the team as Chris Brass' team.

"I will be honest with the fans, I'll be honest with the board and I will be honest with myself. Give me a fair crack of whip, I know I will be judged by results but it is exciting times

"There will be mistakes as I have said, but I am cutting my teeth in the job so these will be honest mistakes and myself and Lee (Nogan, player-coach) can only gain from these.

"I know it is not going to be easy - I'm not nave and I'm under no illusions - but I will give it my best shot."

And if Brass can transfer his playing form into management, then it could 'realistically' be an exciting season ahead for City.

Updated: 09:49 Friday, June 06, 2003