But then came the Minstermen's disappointing end to the campaign. A run of no wins in six games and no goals in four saw City's play-off hopes fade from view.

Joining City's promotion aspirations in freefall was fan admiration for the City chief.

But the decline in devotion was not quite as fickle as City's end of season slump was frustrating.

For while Dolan deserved plaudits for his efforts last season, as City's promotion hopes dwindled the memories of what had gone before returned to the fore.

In the two previous campaigns, Dolan's City more often that not languished in the wrong half of the table, struggling to shake off the shadow of relegation.

Two FA Cup runs lifted the spirits and the team's standing did improve every season, but sustained success proved elusive.

And with silverware in short supply so too thrills and spills.

Terrace critics reckoned Dolan's priorities were wrong - defence over attack, results over style, pragmatism over romanticism.

True enough; the football, although certainly improved this season, was too often functional rather than inspirational.

But in explaining Dolan's departure it is more pertinent to look beyond football and the pitch.

Finances, as is the norm in football, lay behind today's shock decision and the installing of a player-manager, as seems most likely, marks a sensible two-for-the-price-of-one move for a club having to cut costs considerably.

There are, perhaps, other factors to consider too.

Dolan was a difficult man to get to know but was honest, open and available once a bond of trust was formed.

His honesty sometimes verged on the brusque - his fiercest critics suggested it was arrogance - and such a demeanour was always likely to sit uneasy with a new board of directors anxious to foster an all-embracing image.

Dolan, a Douglas Craig appointment, was very much born of a time when the manager was strictly subordinate to the chairman and board of directors.

It was a deferential relationship the City chief was happy and comfortable with.

However, the Supporters' Trust take-over heralded sweeping changes. Dolan was now taking his orders from the fans, an alien concept he may have struggled to embrace.

It may be a number of seasons before a final analysis of Dolan's Bootham Crescent tenure can be properly made.

For even those rejoicing at today's news may, in years to come, admit they have much to thank him for.

Certainly, the determined way Dolan guided his players throughout the torment of the last 18 months should never be forgotten nor his part in safeguarding the club ignored.

While the future of the club was thrown into question and off-field matters took priority, Dolan did not bleat nor make excuses or panic.

His composure and experience in the face of so much uncertainty must have been reassuring to a young squad fearful for their careers.

Another manager may have crumbled under the pressure, followed by the team, followed by the club.

For it is not inconceivable had the team been struggling against relegation the iron-will to save the club from extinction would not have been so strong among disenchanted and crestfallen supporters.

And even Dolan's detractors would agree when appointed boss in February 2000 he inherited an over-sized and over-paid squad, riven by cliques and lacking in desire and talent.

In the circumstances, it was no mean feat to stave off the immediate and very real threat of relegation by overseeing a tremendous run of just two defeats in 14 games.

With League status secured, it was to prove a massive dismantling task but quietly and efficiently Dolan set about cutting out the deadwood and streamlining the Minstermen machine.

Forced to cut his cloth accordingly while he chopped and changed, the lack of flowing football was probably forgivable as it was forgettable.

With no cash to spend, his eye for picking out young and hungry players with points to prove has been invaluable.

Certainly, on paper the squad is younger, leaner, sharper and more talented than the one he inherited.

It should provide his replacement with a firm foundation upon which to take the team forward.

Dolan has done the spade work but unfortunately for him it will be left to someone else to tender the seeds and ensure they blossom.

Updated: 10:34 Saturday, May 31, 2003