York City's players have vowed to stick together and do all that they can to see the club to promotion.

The players, who have been loaned money by the PFA to see them through to January 18 - the deadline set by the administrators for a new owner to come in - have already been praised for their spirit in recent weeks.

But City's PFA representative Darren Edmondson has said the players will not be about to abandon the club, but continue with the job in hand.

He told the Evening Press: "We were all shocked by this. We knew there was a problem, but to get a five-week deadline is something else for us all to take on board.

"I suppose the good thing is that we all now know the situation and if people care about the club and can put some money in then now is the time to do it.

"It is difficult for the players to focus with this going on, but all we can do is get on with winning games.

"We have got some good games over the festive period but three or four wins from six games and we could be in the top two but then go into liquidation. That is a situation no-one wants to see."

He added: "The PFA has loaned us the money. It is nowhere near what we would get, but something is better than nothing.

"There has been no talk of anyone leaving. All the players are concentrating on York City and getting the club promoted.

"Hopefully our position in the league with show people outside that there is something right going on down at the club.

"We will carry on with what we are doing. No-one will be jumping ship, we want to stay and see York City promoted."

Despite the difficult period faced by the club, administrator Matthew Bowker has applauded the spirit and attitude of the players, as well as the support of the Players' Football Association.

"We have had absolutely fantastic support from the players. Clearly the performance on the field under the backdrop of what has been a very difficult position has been fantastic," he said.

- Former City loanee Lee Cook has joined QPR on a month's loan from Watford.

Updated: 12:19 Thursday, December 19, 2002