All-Change York City are to embark on a full-tilt fitness drive as part of manager Neil Thompson's new order.

Thompson has enlisted the conditioning powers of fitness coach Simon Hartley to beef up the stamina and strength of his relegated Minstermen in the bid to escape Division Three at the first attempt.

Hartley, who last season was the conditioner of York Wasps rugby league club and helped former City ace Graeme Murty to keener fitness, will be a key figure when City players return for pre-season training on July 1.

City boss Thompson explained he drafted in Hartley 48 hours after the club's demise from Division Two was confirmed at Manchester City.

All the City players were put through a series of rigorous tests and weight checks. Those times and figures will be re-checked on their return in the summer when the physical task of readying themselves for a more physical division will start.

And warned Thompson: "Come the pre-season they had better be ready to go. "The game has moved on from say 15 years ago when no-one did much during the summer and they returned to pre-season 8 lbs or something overweight.

"Nowadays players have got to get about the pitch more in any division. So we have got to take our fitness on a level and have a more professional approach.

"Jeff Miller (City's physiotherapist) knew of Simon Hartley and I before the end of last season we had a session with him. He is now on board and we have someone who is qualified in that specific area."

In stepping up the fitness programme Thompson was also taking on principles followed by one of his former clubs Ipswich Town, who are presently steeling themselves for the demands of the promotion play-offs to the Premiership.

"I know Ipswich used similar methods and while they missed out on automatic promotion their engines are still going now. They are at full-belt for 90 minutes," he said.

"If you are physically fitter you make better decisions on the pitch because you are not fatigued. That's what we have to do."

Thompson was today continuing efforts to land targets Chris Fairclough and Matt Hocking. The duo, on loan at City until the end of the season, have returned to their respective Notts County and Hull City clubs, where each have one more year to run.

But the City manager was determined to persuade them their future was at Bootham Crescent. "I would love to have them both," said Thompson, who was also locked in talks with transfer-listed City striker Neil Woods over his future.

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