RELEASED York City trio Marc Thompson, Kieran Darlow and Ben Rhodes are poised to kick-start their careers with Harrogate Town.

Trainees Darlow and Rhodes were released from the Minstermen at the end of the season, while Thompson was told he would not be offered a new contract by City.

However, all three could find a quick route back into the game at Wetherby Road.

Town have romped to the UniBond League division one title this season and are keen to make the transition to life in the premier division - with Thompson, Rhodes and Darlow set to be the first signings of a busy summer of transfer activity.

Midfielder Rhodes and left-winger Darlow are expected to watch Town's clash with North Ferriby United tonight before having further talks with manager John Reed and chairman Bill Fotherby.

Thompson, who is away on holiday, has already been in contact with Reed about possibly signing for at the club next season, although he is currently considering all his options.

If they do decide to join, they would team up with former Minstermen Ian Blackstone and Iain Dunn, who have played a key role in Town winning the UniBond League first division title and the West Riding FA County Cup.

Darlow told the Evening Press:

"I've had a few 'phone conversations with John (Reed) but I'll be going along tonight to watch the game and meet up with him.

"There is a good possibility I will be playing for them next season. What I've heard sounds good. They seem to be a team that is going places."

The Evening Press also believes Town were interested in securing the services of Scott Emmerson and Marc Salvati, but the travelling involved from their respective home towns in Durham and Middlesbrough look to have put paid to those deals.

Reed confirmed that he has a long list of players he is after during summer as he builds for next season.

"We will need to improve the squad for next season and I've got a shopping list of 30 players I'm interested in," he said. "Obviously I won't get them all, but I've had a meeting with the chairman and he knows what I'm after.

"I've spent the last three weeks watching 14 teams from the premier division, so I know we will have to improve our squad.

"We've had talks with the lads from York (Thompson, Darlow and Rhodes) and hopefully two of them will be down tonight. There are one or two other lads from York I'm trying to get."

Updated: 11:58 Thursday, April 25, 2002