Mac's attack: 'I feel cheated' - angry Andy

Andy McMillan

Mark Tinkler

Martin Reed

Eight games adrift of his 500th appearance for the Minstermen, McMillan heads a quartet of players, who have been told they can go in Thompson's new regime.

McMillan is up for sale along with ex-Leeds United schemer Mark Tinkler, winger Gordon Connelly and centre-back Martin Reed. City want fees for each save for Reed.

City boss Thompson said the release of the four was for 'football reasons'.

But McMillan blasted back. Coming to the end of his testimonial year after a dozen years with the club he railed: "I am extremely angry and I admit I stormed out of the manager's office with a few choice words.

"I feel cheated. Obviously he has got to make decisions, but I cannot believe the way I have been treated. I have given so much to the club and this is how I get rewarded.

"I am extremely bitter. It angers me because I have put so much into that club. It's my life and now it feels as if part of it has been removed. I feel empty and totally dazed."

McMillan was primed to reach his 500th appearance before the end of last season until a knee injury ruled him out of relegated City's run-in.

He wanted to join City's fight to reclaim their Division Two status and notch up his milestone, pressing towards Barry Jackson's club appearance record of 539 games.

He said: "It's not been the best of my seasons, but it's not been a good year for the club.

Everyone's got to take the blame for what happened. I was hoping to rectify the situation next season. This has hit me for six."

The 31-year-old McMillan, in whom Northampton were interested on deadline-day, was fearful his imminent benefit game would be hit.

"If I'm with another club I wonder whether I could come back or whether people would support it," said the full-back, further annoyed by not being informed of Northampton's approach.

Thompson insisted his decision should not affect the defender's testimonial match.

"He has been a great servant to the club, but I think it's time for a change," he said. "I think Andy Mac needs to move on and have a new challenge."

The listing of 25-year-old Tinkler, also with a year left on his current deal, had as much to do with getting cash now for him rather than seeing him go next year under the Bosman ruling as in wondering whether the midfielder would prosper in the basement.Claimed the City manager: "A big issue is I'm not sure it's going suit to Mark Tinkler next season."

Connelly, signed in the first week of last season for £70,000 from Airdrie, has already attracted interest from his native Scotland. It is believed St Johnstone are keen on the winger, who did not figure in Thompson's caretaker reign. "He hasn't settled and I can't wait for people."

Defender Reed, with two years on his contract, is the only one of the four allowed to go on a free. "He is not in my plans at present," said Thompson.

New deals have been offered to Rodney Rowe and Alan Pouton, both out of contract in summer, while defender Andrew Dawson has been rewarded with longer terms.

"The ball is in Rodney's and Alan's court. I want them to stay. But they have to realise we have gone down a division and I have got to have players who are committed," said the boss.

"It's not pleasant to tell people they can go, but I feel these are the right decisions.

"We have got to bring new faces in and we need a spine of a new goalkeeper, centre-half central midfielder and a striker, possibly two."

Writing on wall at Maine Road for Tinks

Midfielder Mark Tinkler realised his York City days might be over in the wake of the crashing last day defeat at Manchester City.

But he accepted the likely parting of the way as 'that's football' as he set about looking for a new club.

Said the 25-year-old Tinkler: "I had a feeling after Man City I would be one of the players not needed when the manager said he would need 'diggers' in his team next season.

"And I agree with him in one way. The Third Division is all hustle and bustle and you are not going to get much time on the ball. That's the manager's decision and I have to abide by that. I just have to knuckle down and find another club."

Tinkler, whose final season in City colours was marred by three dismissals and 11 bookings, still won the supporters' player-of-the year trophy, which delighted him.

"The fans have been great to me and if I don't find a club I'll return a City player in pre-season and give it 100 per cent," said the man who made 89 League outings and scored eight goals since his £85,000 move from Leeds in March 1997.

Former City forwards Paul Baker and David Rush have been released by Hartlepool, while Darlington have freed ex-City goalkeeper Mark Samways.

Both Marco Gabbiadini and Steve Tutill have agreed new deals with the Quakers and will figure as opponents to their former York team next season, but Glenn Naylor is still in talks with manager David Hodgson.

Season ticket prices pegged

York City have decided to peg back the cost of admission prices.

Club secretary Keith Usher confirmed there would be no increase in the cost of entry to Bootham Crescent or in season tickets in the light of the club's relegation to Division Three.

"It will be the same prices next season and notification of such will be going out to existing season ticket-holders in the near future," he said.

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