YORK City began their preparations for this Saturday's first round FA Cup tie at Colchester today by putting their foot down and undergoing target practice with a difference.

Last season, as City won through to the third round of the competition, on the eve of every match manager Terry Dolan took his Minstermen to Filey for a training session on the beach followed by fish and chips.

The pre-match ritual attracted the interest of the national media and thrust City into the headlines.

However, this year Dolan has decided against a trip to the seaside.

Instead, the City squad were this afternoon visiting the North of England Multi Activity Centre at Rufforth to take part in activities such as grass-kart racing, off-road 4x4 driving and archery or possibly clay-pigeon shooting.

"It will be a very easy-going and relaxing day and we will be having a meal afterwards," said Dolan.

"At FA Cup time I always like to do something a little bit different.

"It would have been easy to have gone back to Filey but I thought it would be better for the players to do something else.

"With us playing Friday, they have had a couple of days off over the weekend. This will be the relaxing day of the week and after today we will be preparing seriously for Saturday."

In a boost for the City manager, Graham Potter, who was ruled out of Friday night's defeat to Scunthorpe at the 11th hour due to illness, has made a quick recovery and should be fit for the trip to Layer Road.

Meanwhile, City skipper Chris Brass has declared the Minstermen will be going for broke against The Us.

Replying to a question in our online question and answer session last night, Brass said: "We will be going for it against Colchester as we have decided we have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

"It's a one-off tie so we may as well go for it."

The City captain also revealed he still believes City can win promotion this season despite currently lying in the bottom half of the table.

He said: "I think it is consistency that we need.

"We still have an outside chance for promotion but we need to go on a solid run and cut out the stupid results.

"It is so tight in there that three wins on the bounce could put you at the top of the league."

And answering a question from City mascot Yorkie, Brass also admitted he had film-star looks.

The City skipper confessed his likeness for Trainspotting and Full Monty star Robert Carlyle had been commented on before.

Updated: 08:59 Tuesday, November 13, 2001