New York City manager Neil Thompson has fired the first shots in his swift revolution at Bootham Crescent.

To kick-off his new regime Thompson today confirmed the axing of striker Neil Tolson and goalkeeper Andy Warrington. Both have been released immediately.

And Thompson signalled there would be yet more departures from Bootham Crescent over the next few days as he strives to get relegated York back on track.

Thompson issued his own mission statement on his first full day in command.

"The first day of the Division Three season has started now. It's not going to be a walk in the park. We need to bring players in, no question," he said.

"If I make a decision it might not be popular, but I will make it in all honesty and I will do it for footballing reasons.

"If you're not good enough things have to change - that's the harsh reality. It's a cruel game.

"To make it right here we have to have a successful season. We have to bounce back. We owe it to the people of York. I can reassure the supporters that I will be giving it my best shot."

The 35-year-old Thompson said he was absolutely thrilled to be given the chance to manage the Minstermen full-time, adding it was always an ambition to go into management.

"It's something I feel I am cut out to do. I have always wanted to do it though maybe it's come quicker than I thought it would," he said.

"But I certainly won't be fazed. I am relishing the challenge.

"It's organising people. It's getting the right people in and getting the club bubbling for players and supporters.

"We need to get a buzz back around the place. I will do everything in my power to do that and the directors have backed me to the hilt."

The sudden release of Tolson and Warrington was part of a radical pruning programme. Talks are lined up with several players this week and not just striker Rodney Rowe and Alan Pouton, whose contracts are up in the summer.

"Andy Warrington has all the attributes to be a good goalkeeper, but unfortunately he has got to do it away from the club because he has a problem at Bootham Crescent.

"He has got to get away. Nothing would please me more than for him to go and prove me wrong. I have had four free transfers and proved people wrong all my life.

"Tolly has been a good servant but he has fallen short this year. Both go with our best wishes."

One of Thompson's other immediate tasks was to try to persuade his two on-loan signings Chris Fairclough, now back at Notts County, and Matt Hocking, with another year to run at Hull City, to commit themselves to the Minstermen.

"Chris has done an excellent job, but I never thought otherwise, while Matt has shown good pace and tackling while he has been here."

Thompson was convinced of the potential within City, but major work was needed to exploit it.

"The foundations are there. It's a strong club the way that it is run," he ventured.

"The strength of the club is on the youth side. Now we have to get the first-team right."

Shaw and Mimms lined up for key posts

Club chairman Douglas Craig today confirmed Adie Shaw and Bobby Mimms are to be part of the new City management team.

He said that Shaw, City's head of youth development, would be offered the post of assistant to manager Thompson, who is also keen for goalkeeper Mimms to help out on the coaching side.

While that would leave a vacancy for the youth post the chairman said that vital arm of the club's regime would not be 'left in limbo'.

Craig meanwhile was excited by the prospect of Thompson's reign as manager.

"We gave him his chance until the end of the season because we believed he was the obvious person to do that.

"We assessed him over that period and have been more than satisfied with what we have seen as a board. The directors were unanimous in a view that we should appoint him."

Added the chairman: "Neil has a good pedigree he has played at all levels. He has good contacts in the game and a good reputation in the game.

"I think he has standards and his qualities are ones that we have no difficulties with."

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