York City have brought forward the start of their pre-season friendlies by adding a new fixture to their programme.

Terry Dolan's squad return to training this Thursday but their preparations will move up a gear when they tackle West Yorkshire League outfit Tadcaster Albion on Wednesday, July 18, at 7.30pm.

City's North Riding Cup match at Whitby Town on July 20 was due to be the first game of their pre-season programme.

However, the Minstermen have now accepted Albion's invitation to play at Ing's Park two days earlier to mark the official opening of Tadcaster's newly-refurbished clubhouse.

The recent improvements are a result of extensive work undertaken at the ground after both the clubhouse and pitch were submerged in 7ft of water during last October's floods.

Dolan, who will officially open the clubhouse on the night, said: "We really sympathise with the problems Tadcaster Albion suffered as a consequence of last year's floods.

"The severe damage caused by the flooding disrupted their season from October onwards and made it very difficult for them to fulfil their fixtures.

"When we received the invitation from Albion's manager, Wayne Day, to play a friendly at the ground we were pleased to accept and hope that the game will raise important funds for the club."

Admission prices for the Tadcaster game have still to be announced.

City reserves' will take on Shrewsbury Town at Bootham Crescent on Wednesday, August 15, in the first match of their Avon Insurance League Division One campaign.

This season will see the Minstermen's second string also taking on Doncaster Rovers' reserve team for the first time in a number of years.

The Conference outfit's second team won promotion from Division Two last season.

The reserve fixture list, times to be confirmed, is: August 15, Shrewsbury Town, home; August 29, Bury, away; September 5, Walsall, home; September 12, Darlington, away; October 1, Stoke City, away, October 10, Scunthorpe United, home; October 17, Blackpool, away; October 31, Stockport County, home; November 7, Doncaster Rovers, away; November 14, Lincoln City, home; November 28, Grimsby Town, away; December 5, Stockport County away; December 12, Blackpool, home; January 9, Shrewsbury Town, away; January 16, Bury, home; January 30, Stoke City, home; February 13, Scunthorpe United, away; February 20, Darlington, home; March 13, Walsall, away; March 20, Doncaster Rovers, home; March 27, Lincoln City, away; April 10, Grimsby Town

York City intermediates, who returned to training yesterday, four days ahead of the senior squad, have unveiled their pre-season fixture programme.

The youngster's preparations kick into gear on Friday, July 13, when they entertain York College, kick-off 2pm.

Their remaining friendlies are:

Tuesday, July 17, Guiseley Under-19s, away, 7pm; Friday, July 20, American touring side, home, 5pm; Tuesday, July 24, Harrogate Army Under-18s, away, 7pm; Friday, July 27, Selby Town, away, 7pm; Wednesday, August 1, Boroughbridge, away, 7pm; Friday, August 3, Knaresborough Town, away, 7pm; Tuesday, August 7, Harrogate Railway, away, 7.30pm.

City's head of youth development, Paul Stancliffe, said the squad reported back with a near clean bill of health, with the exception of winger and third-year trainee Kieran Darlow, who has got a niggling back problem.

Stancliffe revealed he would not be drafting in a new first-year following the departure of Chris Hogg to Ipswich Town.

Hogg was due to start his three-year scholarship with City this week but as revealed in the Evening Press has signed for George Burley's Premiership outfit.

The five first year trainees who have signed are Graeme Law, Sean Davies, Michael McKenzie, Matthew Coad and Levent Yalcin.

Updated: 08:40 Tuesday, July 03, 2001