DOUGLAS Craig has admitted the York City board have relaxed their grip on the club's purse strings in a calculated risk for brighter times.

The City chairman also revealed that for the first time in years he is quietly optimistic for the coming season after witnessing manager Terry Dolan's rebuilding at close quarters.

"I think it would be fair to say we have gambled a bit. If that has been a wise thing to do we will have to wait and see," Craig told the Evening Press.

The City chairman's reasoning comes despite Dolan bringing in players like Graham Potter, Gary Hobson, Darren Edmondson, Peter Duffield, Peter Swan and Alan Fettis on free transfers or for relatively small fees.

But despite the lack of hard-cash splashed, Craig believes City - with a reputation for prudence - are among the highest payers in the basement division.

"People say someone is a free transfer and you immediately think 'oh great'," he said.

"The reality is that the wage levels are now very high and I would say we are certainly in the top bracket in the Third Division.

"I don't like it but that is where we are."

However, despite an ever-growing wage-bill the City chairman insisted there was no pressure on Dolan to trim his large playing squad.

"I think the squad is a bit big but I am not too worried about that as long as we get it right on the field.

"This is the first time for a few years that I am able to say I am cautiously excited."

Craig said he sensed the cautious excitement was also running through the club and its supporters.

"I just hope we don't get disappointed but we will have to wait and see," he added.

"But without being too cocky I do think for the first time in maybe a few years we maybe should be looking at the possibilities with cautious optimism."

Much of the resurgence in City confidence was down to Dolan and his dealings with the York players, conceded Craig,

"We are settle and organised and the other things is that every game we played towards the end of last season every player on that park was playing to their utmost for 90 minutes," he said.

"There was a big difference in attitude and application and at our level that total commitment can make good other deficiencies."

His transfer dealings, the team's much improved run of form and the transformation in confidence had more than justified the board's decision to appoint Dolan six when many were clamouring for a more high profile figurehead, said the City chairman.