NOW might be the time of the year when many out-of-contract players look to offer their services to the highest bidders but City short-term signing Andy Bell displayed a refreshing attitude this week.

Bell opened his scoring account for City against Scunthorpe on Tuesday night and then played in the North Riding Senior Cup semi-final at Scarborough.

He was then at the training ground on Thursday morning where he revealed that he is ready to turn down big-money approaches from non-league clubs to sign permanently for City.

The former Wycombe striker, who played at Bootham Crescent for England Schoolboys against Thailand in 2000, said: "There have been a few non-league clubs that were offering good money but I would rather stay in the league. I will get a lot less money here than they would give me but I don't care, that does not really bother me.

"I would love to sign but it's up to the gaffer and whether he wants me or not. Hopefully, I can help him decide.

"I thought I was poor at Kidderminster on Saturday but did OK against Scunthorpe when I came on."

ELSEWHERE, Chris Brass might have his critics after a run of ten games without a victory but former Minstermen legend Jon McCarthy is a big admirer of City's player-boss.

Speaking at Sunday's past players festival match, Wembley wizard McCarthy, who now plays for UniBond Premier Division title favourites Hucknall Town, said: "Chris Brass has done a tremendous job here. I can't believe the way he has taken everything on and at such a young age as well. He stepped up because he had to in order to keep the club going and I think he has done it so well.

"They are going through a tough time at the moment and that's how it's going to be for a while because of the money situation, but the club is full of people doing the right thing and the supporters are running it.

"It was good to play here at Bootham Crescent knowing that this isn't going to be the last season because this is where they belong.

"Maybe in the future when they have got a new ground ready to go to - I'm not against that - but it would have been a disaster if they went to Huntington so I'm pleased that is sorted out."

ANOTHER former York City favourite Alan Fettis was the subject of a transfer approach this week that might surprise several regulars in the David Longhurst Stand.

Fettis, who is now third choice goalkeeper at Hull City, was wanted by Third Division leaders Doncaster Rovers as goalkeeping cover for another ex-City stopper Andy Warrington.

The two players have left very different legacies at Bootham Crescent with former Player of the Year Fettis still regarded as a crowd hero while Warrington's name continues to be chanted every time an opposing goalkeeper makes a mistake.

About his approach for Fettis, Doncaster boss Dave Penney said: "We spoke to Alan but we could not give him the first-team action that he wants and he has been offered it elsewhere."

Fettis has since joined Grimsby.

CITY might have lost Tuesday night's home match with Scunthorpe but a small measure of revenge can be gained over the Iron by proving that Minstermen followers are more generous than their North Lincolnshire rivals.

The two clubs have been drawn together in the first round of the "Send Shirts to Skopje Cup."

Yorkshire Building Society have launched the competition and progress to the last 16 will be based on how many old football shirts are donated to the poverty-stricken Macedonian town before Thursday, March 18.

Fans can either take their unwanted tops to their nearest Yorkshire Building Society or send them to the collection point c/o Catapult PR, 19a-20a Marsh Mill Village, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire, FY5 4JZ.

THE first leg of the David Longhurst Supporters' Challenge Sports and General Knowledge Quiz between York City and Scarborough will be held at the McCain Stadium on Thursday, April 1.

Three weeks later, the return leg will be held at Bootham Crescent in the Social Club on Thursday, April 22. The questions will start at 8pm on both nights.

CARRYING on our musical feature on the number one hits when York City players were born, this week we turn the spotlight on City's management duo.

Assistant-manager Lee Nogan was born to the strains of Beatles classic "Get Back" and City will be hoping they can return to where they once belonged as soon as possible after ten games without a victory.

Chris Brass, meanwhile, will be hoping to cheer up City supporters and "Give A Little Love", which is the name of the Bay City Rollers hit that was the best-selling single on his birthday.

Staying on a loving theme, two of City's younger players could be the Romeos of Bootham Crescent if their birthday number ones hold any significance.

Turkish youth international Lev Yalcin's is Phil Collins' "Easy Lover" and teenage defender Graeme Law's is "I Just Called to Say I Love You" by Stevie Wonder.

Updated: 10:40 Saturday, March 13, 2004