CHRIS Brass unveiled his eighth summer signing at yesterday's official photo call and then declared himself "more than happy" with his 20-man first-team squad.

Former Crewe left back and captain Shaun Smith became Brass' latest acquisition after signing a one-year contract and completing his free transfer switch from Rochdale.

Smith joins club captain Steve Davis, Kevin Donovan, Paul Groves, Paul Robinson, Gary Pearson, Andy Bishop and Chris Clarke as City's new faces next season.

Brass could still strengthen his squad by signing a new goalkeeper with trialist Paul Crichton the most likely addition.

The City boss has also indicated that Lev Yalcin's decision to extend his contract at Bootham Crescent does not necessarily close the door on trialist strikers Jonny Rowan and Paul Brayson with the Minstermen considering carrying a 22-man squad if budget considerations are not breached.

Brass said: "Shaun has agreed to come on board for a 12-month deal. We might see what's in the pot to still strengthen with one or two more players but I have to say that I am more than happy with the 20 I have got at this moment in time.

"We could get up to 21 or 22 and we were anticipating 16 or 18 so it's gone better than we expected in terms of what we've been able to attract with what we've had to work with. The goalkeeper area is one we are still looking at and we will give Paul Crichton another week and take it from there.

"If we do decide on Paul then we have got to make sure it works for both parties as well."

City's photo call coincided yesterday with the publishing of the club's financial accounts for the 12 months between June, 2003 and June, 2004.

It was announced that the club had turned a £332,338 operating loss during the first three months of the Supporters Trust's takeover into an £83,970 profit over the last year.

Brass helped in that process by trimming the wage bill by more than 50 per cent and, while City dropped into the Nationwide Conference at the end of the season, the player-manager is delighted that the club has transformed its financial fortunes.

He said: "It's a fantastic achievement. Correcting our financial situation was one of the premier objectives at the start of last season and I had to work the budget accordingly.

"I have been thrown the gauntlet of sustaining it again but, this time, I feel we have been well prepared and able to manage the budget even better in order to get the quality of players that we have and we can look forward to the season with optimism rather than placing the emphasis on survival.

"That makes a massive difference. We are looking to the future now rather than worrying whether we will have a future."

Updated: 10:59 Wednesday, July 28, 2004