FORMER Cardiff City defender Andrew Jordan today spurned York City's contract offer to join Second Division Hartlepool.

Jordan had spent pre-season with the Minstermen and after impressing player-manager Chris Brass was offered a one-year-deal.

However, Hartlepool boss Neale Cooper, alerted by Jordan's impressive form in City's friendlies, is understood to have offered the centre-back the chance of higher division football and a two year deal.

While disappointed to have missed out on Jordan, City chief Brass has already started his search for a replacement.

The Evening Press understands a new centre-back could even be in place in time for tomorrow night's Bootham Crescent friendly with Livingston.

Failing that, Brass said he would have no qualms in giving more of City's youth team players a chance to shine.

Brass said he bore Jordan, son of former Manchester United and Scotland striker Joe, no ill-feeling.

"It's disappointing he has gone but he wants to play at a higher level of football and you cannot blame anyone for wanting to better themselves," said the City chief.

"Unfortunately, his success in the short time he has been with us has alerted other clubs. But this happens in football and we have to move on.

"Andrew would have been a welcome addition but we are always on the look-out and this may give someone else an opportunity.

"Sean Davies has done well and so have all the other young lads when called upon, and that is refreshing to see."

Davies, who scored in City's 2-0 win over Scarborough on Saturday, is just one of eight trainees used by the City chief in the Minstermen's pre-season friendlies so far.

Jordan, 22, moved to Cardiff in 2000 after spending three years at Bristol City but made only a handful of appearances at Ninian Park.

While his time at Bootham Crescent was only short, he was in the headlines after clashing with Leeds striker Mark Viduka in last week's friendly.

Viduka lunged in on Jordan then threw the ball at the stricken player prompting referee Alan Kaye to ask Leeds boss Peter Reid to substitute his striker.

Yesterday, as revealed in the Evening Press, Kaye was charged by the FA for failing to apply the laws of the game.

Former City trialist Stephen Capper, cut-free from his Bootham Crescent trial last week, has failed to earn himself a contract at Scunthorpe United.

Capper was on trial at Glanford Park but Irons chief Brian Laws has decided not to make his interest more permanent.

Updated: 11:11 Wednesday, July 30, 2003