FORMER York City skipper Chris Fairclough is unhappy at the Minstermen's decision to terminate his contract and has put the matter in the hands of the Professional Footballers' Association.

The 36-year-old today said that his contract was ended by the club and that it was not terminated by mutual consent. He has asked the PFA to look into it.

City parted company with the veteran defender last Tuesday, four months before his contract was due to expire.

He had yet to play for the first team this season following an operation on both knees, making only a brief reserve team outing in September. He returned to full-training a number of times but broke down with calf and hamstring troubles.

The former Leeds United, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest ace figured in the last 11 games of City's relegation season and was confirmed as captain at the start of the next campaign after signing full-time.

Last season he made 26 appearances, including his 500th League appearance on April 1.

But injury problems were already taking their toll and Fairclough's 500th appearance against Southend was one of only three starts he made in 2000.

Updated: 13:16 Tuesday, February 13, 2001