York City skipper Chris Brass spoke today of the players' shock at the news that the club would be up for sale.

The Minstermen were informed of the board's decision by boss Terry Dolan yesterday.

But despite the news Brass has vowed that he and his team-mates will battle on regardless.

"We had a meeting with the manager and he explained to us the situation and how it would effect us," explained Brass.

"We were all shell-shocked. It has come out of the blue to us and the manager.

"Unfortunately these things can happen in football and there is nothing we can do about it.

"We don't have a say in who is on the board or who runs the club.

"All we can do is to perform on the pitch. It is down to us to get the results to improve the situation in that way.

"It is time for us as players to stand together and show what we can do. We know we have the potential, but we need to show that now more than ever."

Brass added: "Every player will have his worries, because the worse case scenario is that we will all be without a club come the summer.

"But we have to perform on the pitch to make the club as attractive as possible to any potential buyer."

The former Burnley man also added his sympathy for the fans.

"I'm sure this all has come as a bigger shock to the fans," he said. "They could be without the club they love by the end of the season, but York City is bigger than any chairman or any player and we want to make sure there still is a club for them to support."

Updated: 10:54 Saturday, December 22, 2001