York City manager Neil Thompson has heaped praise on his predecessor Alan Little.

Speaking ahead of tonight's spicey set-to with Little's new club, Southend, Thompson admitted he had nothing but admiration for the man he replaced in the Bootham Crescent hot set and it was Little who brought Thompson to City in March 1998 on a month's loan from Barnsley. Less than two-months later Little handed Thompson a two-year deal and installed the former Ipswich Town and Scarborough favourite as player coach.

"I have got a lot of time for Alan," said Thompson, who was initially installed as caretaker boss after Little's sacking in March this year.

"He was loyal, one of the most loyal and honest men I have met in the game.

"We wish him every success down there at Southend...but starting from tomorrow."

And while Thompson took time out from his match preparations to applaud Little's integrity, he echoed the former City manager's comments that tonight's encounter was about three points and nothing more.

"There are no more points available than three," said Thompson, who conceded there was no escaping the hype.

"There is obviously a lot of interest in it but it is important for us and the players to detach ourselves from it, I'm sure Alan will be doing the same, but there is a lot of hype about the game because there will be a lot of familiar faces.

"They may feel they have a point to prove but that is what happens in football - players move on to other clubs more regularly nowadays.

"But it is still 11 against 11 on the pitch and I have got no axe to grind with anyone, that is for sure. Everyone who left here left with my best wishes

"More importantly, there are three points at stake and we have got to approach it in a positive manner and go after the points.

"If we get a positive result it edges us closer to people."

Little insists he has nothing to prove as he prepares to cast his Shrimpers' net and land three points at Bootham Crescent tonight.

Little returns to York for the first time since his March sacking after six years in charge and almost five years as player-coach and assistant to both John Bird and John Ward.

But Little, City's third longest serving boss, maintains a win and nothing else is his sole priority after seeing his Southend side go seven games without a win and tumble down the league.

"I have just got to treat tonight as another game," said Little, who guided City to a Wembley triumph, a play-off push and cup giant-killing epics over Manchester United and Everton during his reign.

"We are professional people so that is what I must do.

"I might have 'other feelings' but those have got to be put aside.

"It is an important game for us.. Not because it is York City but because it gives us a chance to get a win.

"I am coming to York as a manager who is coming to get a result and that's all."

Despite receiving the boot from Bootham Crescent almost eight months to the day, Little declared he has nothing but good memories and respect for City.

"There are no hard feelings on my behalf, none at all," he said.

ALAN LITTLE

Born: Newcastle, February 5, 1955

PLAYING CAREER: Aston Villa, Southend, Barnsley, Doncaster Rovers, Torquay United, Halifax Town, Hartlepool.

MANAGERIAL CAREER: assistant to John Bird at City 1988; assistant to John Ward 1991; made caretaker manager at York March 12, 1993; appointed manager March 24, 1993. Sacked March 15, 1999. Appointed boss at Southend, April 1999

LEAGUE RECORD THIS SEASON: (Position 14th) PL 21, W 8, D 4, L 9, GF 27, GA 30, PTS 28

NEIL THOMPSON

Born: Beverley, October 2, 1963

PLAYING CAREER: Released as apprentice from Nottingham Forest, Hull City, Scarborough, Ipswich Town, Barnsley, Oldham Athletic (loan), York City.

MANGERIAL CAREER: Player-coach to Alan Little at York City 1998-1999; Appointed caretaker manager at Bootham Crescent following the sacking of Little on March 15,1999; appointed manager of York City on May 11 1999.

LEAGUE RECORD THIS SEASON: (Position 18th)PL 20, W 6, D 6, L 8, GF 18, GA 25, PTS 24

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.