A former Leeds United hero who hammered a goal nail into York City has been recruited to resurrect the relegation push.

Chris Fairclough: looking to the future with York City

Defender Chris Fairclough, the ex-Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Leeds ace, is caretaker-manager Neil Thompson's first signing.

And I understand Thompson is homing in on Hull City duo Matt Hocking, a centre-back, and Brian McGinty, a midfielder, with the prospect of striker Neil Tolson going to Boothferry Park in exchange.

But it's the addition of the 34-year-old Fairclough that will excite fans. He has linked up with City for the remainder of the season after joining on loan from Notts County. Ironically, it was City's 4-2 defeat at County five days ago that set in train the momentum that led to Alan Little's sacking as manager.

And earlier this season Fairclough 'damaged' the Minstermen. While in those black and white striped shirts he scored his only goal this term to cancel out a Gordon Connelly strike and earn the Magpies a 1-1 draw at Bootham Crescent.

But the cultured stopper, who has made 466 League appearances since making his debut for Nottingham Forest 16 seasons ago, now has the task of restoring solidity to City's back four.

Fairclough will go straight into the rearguard for the visit of free-scoring Wigan Athletic on Saturday. It will be a severe test for the man, who has cost more than £2million in several transfer moves, as the Latics have won six games on the bounce and boast a formidable front trio of Stuart Barlow, Simon Haworth and Andy Liddell.

But caretaker-boss Thompson is confident Fairclough's experience at the highest level will bolster City's ailing defence. "Chris has pace and strength. He is a good header of the ball too, which is what we have been lacking," said Thompson, a contemporary of the centre-back when they were apprentices together at Nottingham Forest.

"He hasn't played much recently for County, but this move will enable him to go into the shop window, a bit like I did when I first came to City a year ago."

Fairclough, who has England under-21 and 'B' international caps, played 107 League games for Forest before joining Tottenham in 1987 for a tribunal-fixed £387,000. Two seasons and 60 appearances for Spurs led to a £500,000 move to Leeds. He won Second Division and top-flight championship-winning medals in a six-season spell at Elland Road.

Four seasons ago he moved to Bolton Wanderers in a £1million deal helping the Trotters on their yo-yo existence to the Premiership and back down again before this summer returning to his Nottingham roots in the colours of County.

Another central defender, Brian Linighan, featured for City reserves in last night's Pontin's League 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield Town.

But the hotchpotch side which included several of the clubs' youngsters succumbed to two set-pieces from the Terriers in a ten-minute spell before half-time.

And there was more agony for midfielder Mark Tinkler. Ruled out of the next three City games through suspension Tinkler suffered a nasty ankle injury after going over on his foot.

Cool Craig puts hot-seat hunt on ice

Chairman Douglas Craig has issued a 'cool it' message to avoid any fatal distraction for York City.

He declared the prime objective was to concentrate on Saturday's visit of Wigan and the recruitment of new players before the transfer deadline, which expires a week from today. To lessen the pressure on the relegation-haunted club the chairman announced a 'mini-freeze' on moves to find a permanent successor to sacked boss Alan Little.

Presently in charge is player-coach Neil Thompson, who was made caretaker-manager in the aftermath of Little's dismissal.

Speculation is simmering as to who will become Little's permanent successor, but declared Craig: "All that has been decided is that we have put Neil Thompson in charge and he will remain so until we have got the matter sorted. I don't want anybody at the club to be diverted by any speculation."

Tickets for City's last game of the season away to promotion-hunting Manchester City are to go on sale at Bootham Crescent on Saturday, April 10. City have been allocated an initial batch of 829 for the campaign's May 8 conclusion at Maine Road, though their overall allocation could go beyond 2,000 if the interest is there. The prices are £11 for adults and £7 for juniors and pensioners.

Meanwhile, the club is to run a coach to Upton Park next Tuesday for the FA Youth Cup fifth round replay against West Ham. Leaving at 1.30pm the fare will be £14. Admission to the game is £3 adults, £1 juniors and pensioners.

City's FA Youth Cup quarter-final opponents will be Arsenal. The Gunners' ranks finally saw off hosts Crystal palace 1-0 with an extra-time strike settling the fifth round replay. That sets up an attractive meeting at Highbury provided City can beat West Ham in next

Tuesday's replay after the two sides were locked at 1-1 in a dramatic tussle at Bootham Crescent.

City fans are reminded children will be admitted free to the popular stand if accompanied by an adult for Saturday's visit by Wigan Athletic. However, tickets have to be obtained by 4.30pm tomorrow.

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