HOW ironic. York City, who find themselves in financial difficulty, feel that their future is in youth and heavy doses of realism.

How often in recent years has a local youngster with talent found himself in the York City ranks? How many youngsters are encouraged or want to play for their local team?

Any team manager who runs a youth or junior team, how often have you been approached by a York City representative enquiring about your local talent? Not very often, yet Leeds United have a local development centre with an active scout.

Clubs such as Sheffield United, Barnsley and Middlesbrough all have local youngsters travelling to train on a weekly basis.

I'm fortunate. My son has been coached for the last 18 months by an ex-York City goalkeeper, who has all the expertise, knowledge and patience to nurture and improve an eight-year-old. The team he plays with has 16 other youngsters of age nine and below, who are more than adequate to be a match for any team of comparative age in the north England, including the renowned Wallsend Boys Club - they've proved it. Yet they've only had approaches from Premiership contacts. The team in question play no more than two miles from Bootham Crescent.

Be realistic York City, if you want to survive, encourage and mix with the local talent. Get out on a Sunday morning and watch what's going on around you before you sink further into the depths of despair.

Andy Thrall,

Boroughbridge Road,

York.

Updated: 10:42 Saturday, December 01, 2001