By Dave Flett

YORK City boss Chris Brass agrees with bookmakers' predictions that Carlisle United are favourites for this season's Nationwide Conference title.

Brass believes that the Cumbrians, relegated along with the Minstermen last season, should benefit from boasting the biggest squad and crowds in non-League football.

But he also fancies last season's promotion contenders Hereford United, Aldershot and Exeter City and tips Canvey Island and Stevenage Borough as possible surprise packages.

The City boss has admitted, too, that he is excited by the prospect of his side mounting a challenge despite being written off in some quarters.

He said: "I think the teams that were there or thereabouts last season like Her-eford, Aldershot and Exeter will do well but it will be more difficult than normal to get promotion because of the number of full-time clubs in there now. I think fitness will tell over the course of a season and the teams with the biggest squads will do well so the one that stands out, in that respect, is Carlisle.

"They seem to be everybody's favourite before a ball is kicked in anger and I would probably agree. It also works in their favour that they attract big crowds because all playing staff budgets work around a percentage of attendances so that will help them attract the best players at this level. It might not always be the winning formula but we have got to make sure we are aware of who our competitors will be.

"I think Stevenage can be a dark horse and possibly Canvey Island in their first Conference season after promotion. A bit like Accrington Stanley and Aldershot last season, Canvey could have that momentum going into this season as they also did well in the cup competitions last season.

"There will also be that element that they are unknown in the Conference. There's always a surprise package and it might be ourselves because not many people seem to fancy us. People have their opinions but the ones that count are at the end of the season."

During his Burnley career, Brass and his Turf Moor team-mates were always set an initial target of avoiding relegation by manager Stan Ternent before any season and, similarly, the Minstermen boss' first aim is to secure a top-half finish even if he is setting his sights higher.

"Anything above the play-offs would be a bonus," Brass said. "But, first of all, I think there are two divisions within the league and we have got to make sure we stay in that top half because then you will always be in play-off contention. That was my personal goal last season and we were until February 21.

"I was disappointed to fall short of that target. However, we were talking about survival at the end of last season and now it's pleasing to find myself talking about the right end of the table.

"It will be a big learning curve, stepping into something new, but I will be disappointed if we don't mount some sort of challenge and that means looking at the play-offs."

City will also be entering the FA Trophy and the Conference Cup for the first time in the club's history.

Both competitions might appear much maligned but Brass realises the potential financial rewards of a good cup run, saying: "We have got to approach them in the right manner because we have realistic opportunities to win them. They are potential money-spinners and they might give us extra money to help us in our league challenge."

City factfile and squad numbers for 2004-05

Ground: Bootham Crescent, York, YO30 7AQ
Tel: 0870 7771922
Fax: 0870 7741993
Capacity: 9,496
Nickname: Minstermen
Manager: Chris Brass
Player to Watch: Steve Davis - former Burnley and Luton Town captain will be a commanding presence at the back and could also weigh in with his share of goals at set pieces
Last season's finish: 24th in Third Division (Now League Two)1 Chris Porter
2 Graeme Law
3 David Merris
4 Kevin Donovan
5 Gary Pearson
6 Steve Davis
7 Chris Brass
8 Paul Groves
9 Lee Nogan
10 Paul Robinson
11 Darren Dunning
12 Levent Yalcin
14 Matthew Coad
15 Sean Davies
16 Andy Bishop
17 Chris Clarke
18 Shaun Smith
20 Bryan Stewart
21 Adam Arthur
22 Kane Ashcroft
23 Michael Staley