FORMER York City boss Neil Thompson returns to Bootham Crescent for the first time on Monday declaring that he has nothing to prove to the Minstermen.

Thompson left City 'by mutual consent' in February 2000 after an unsuccessful year as player-manager, and his only action against the Minstermen since then was in a pre-season friendly at Scarborough last year while he was serving as the manager of the Seasiders.

He now returns to Bootham Crescent as acting boss of League new-boys Boston saying he is looking forward to the encounter.

"I've got no points to prove to anyone," he told the Evening Press.

"The way I look at it, you keep proving to yourself that you can play or coach or manage, and throughout my career I've done that.

"My time at York as manager did not work out but it was my first job as a manager and I learned a lot.

"The chance was there and I had a go and, although it didn't work out, I've got the grit and determination to succeed."

Thompson, 38, has since managed North Yorkshire rivals Scarborough in the Conference before returning the Football League with promoted Boston this year, albeit in curious circumstances.

Thompson, assistant to Steve Evans last season, took over the reins this summer after Evans was suspended pending an FA hearing into the role he played in contract irregularities.

Those irregularities have already seen the club fined £100,000 and docked four points before a ball was kicked.

They have clawed two back with two draws in their opening three games and enjoyed their first victory of the season with a 2-0 Worthington Cup win at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday.

"The caretaker role I've now got is a bit different but I'm there to do a job and we've started off okay," he said.

"We'll have a hard game at York, but I've told the players not to be fearful of anyone.

"It's a big step up from the Conference mentally and physically, but we've got a good blend of youth and experience and they can all play. We've played well in parts so far and now we have to do it for 90 minutes."

Thompson returns with a small entourage of familiar faces as much of the Boston back-line are well known to North Yorkshire fans.

Matt Hocking, who left City this summer, former favourite Ray Warburton, and ex-Scarborough star Paul Ellender are likely to start in defence, while Thompson himself could play at left-back, although James Gould is likely to return after a virus.

"Matt has done a good job, while York fans will hold Ray dear to their hearts, and Paul is also a good player," he added. "Whether I'll play I don't know, we'll have to see what happens against Lincoln (today)."

Thompson left City while Douglas Craig was chairman, before John Batchelor took over. He added: "I've never met John Batchelor but it seems he's trying to get things going at the club and good luck to them. York have moved on and I have too."

Boston (probable, depending on today's derby game against Lincoln City): Bastock, Hocking, Warburton, Ellender, Gould, Weatherstone, Bennett, Redfearn, Angel, Clare, Burton. Subs from: Conroy, Monington, Rusk, Elding, Thompson, Cook, Costello.

City v Boston United

Boston become the 100th club City have met in the Football League since their election in 1929/30.

Over the years the clubs met frequently in the Midland League. The Lincolnshire side's last visit to Bootham Crescent in that competition was in March 1958 when City reserves won 3-2.

In 1970/71 the clubs met at York Street in the second round of the FA Cup and City won 2-1 thanks to goals from Ian Davidson and John Mackin, the latter from the penalty spot.

Along with the current connections of Ray Warburton, Matt Hocking and caretaker-manager Neil Thompson, playing links also include Ian Winters (in the 1940s), Alan Woods, Mick Laverick and, more recently, striker Neil Grayson.

Updated: 11:49 Saturday, August 24, 2002