Departing fitness coach Kevin Hornsby said this week he loved every minute of his time at York City, but decided it was time to move on.

Hornsby joined alongside Terry Dolan three seasons ago and stayed on as a coach under Chris Brass after Dolan and Adie Shaw were sent on gardening leave.

With money tight at the start of the season, he offered to go part-time to ease some of the pressure on the playing budget, but has now made the decision to leave to take on a different challenge.

He said: "Every day that I went into work was a good day for me. I have been doing fitness coaching for more than 20 years in various forms, and have worked in pro football for seven years.

"Driving up to York six days a week, which was an hour from Chesterfield, was no hardship. But in the last few weeks after a few changes, it's become hard work and my heart's not really been in it so I've decided to move on to pastures new.

"But I really have loved every minute of it. I have made lots of friends and have enjoyed all the camaraderie that's gone with it.

"Even through the dark times of administration, it has been good in a way. I've been through it three times now at various clubs and have come out a stronger person as a result.

"I genuinely wish Chris and Lee and all the players all the best for the rest of the season."

Hornsby's role was to work on the fitness levels of the players, often using his own equipment, some of which he has left behind.

He added: "I do sincerely wish York well and I know that if they can keep the squad together that they've got and add in a couple of others, they will make the play-offs.

"That is my honest belief - I'm not just paying lip-service. I have seen a lot of the Conference teams and a lot of the Conference players and I honestly believe the play-offs are within reach.

"The playing staff that Chris has got just needs to be kept together and possibly a few additions made."

Rumours have been circulating about a possible £85,000 Cardiff City bid for striker Andy Bishop after a message was posted on a Radio Five website.

No bids have yet been received for the classy 21-year-old, who got his first goal in York colours at Burton last week, but Brass admitted that if the price was right, he would have to consider it.

He said: "It certainly wouldn't surprise me if people were to come in for him. We have not had anything concrete but there has been speculation.

"There have been scouts coming but I think that's only because of the level of performance he has been producing.

"We want to start getting success but this is the unfortunate side of success. If an offer was made, and not just for him, and if we thought it was right for the club and for the player, we would have to consider it."

Former York City forward Terry Eccles was back at Bootham Crescent on Wednesday for the 2-0 LDV Vans Trophy defeat to Blackpool.

Eccles was the top scorer in the 1979-80 season and hammered in a total of 19 in 71 appearances in two years.

He ran the Spitalbeck Inn on the A64 for a while and still lives in Poppleton. He is now scouting for Premiership club Southampton.

Minstermen fans can watch York City's away match at Morecambe on Tuesday without leaving the city.

The Conference game will be broadcast live by Sky Sports - the first of the season to feature York - and for those who cannot get to the game, the Social Club will show the match live on a big screen.

Doors open at 7pm. York Minstermen will be running a raffle sponsored by John Smith's and there will also be a golden goal competition to give viewers the chance to pocket some cash.

This week's City Diary was compiled by Claire Hughes.

Updated: 10:14 Saturday, October 02, 2004