York City were today quids-in after a transfer tribunal ruled Premiership Aston Villa must stump up £50,000 for former protg Cameron Stuart.

Ex-Joseph Rowntree pupil Stuart, 17, was offered trainee scholarship terms by City last summer after first joining the club as a ten-year-old and progressing through to the club's under-16s.

However, Stuart spurned City's offer in favour of three-year scholarship forms at Aston Villa.

Villa have now been ordered to pay City £50,000 in recognition of the Minstermen's part in Stuart's development.

City will also receive further monies should Stuart progress to the first team at Villa Park.

The tribunal also instigated a clause that will give City an undisclosed percentage of any future transfer fee.

Villa have also been ordered to pay a similar fee to West Ham after luring 17-year-old Liam Ridgewell from the Hammers at the same time they tempted Stuart from City.

Stuart's PE teacher at Joseph Rowntree School, Bill Davis, spoke of the little lad with the big heart who fully deserved a crack at the big time.

Davis, who taught Stuart for five years, said: "He was a great lad, very skilful and worked hard to get to a very good standard.

"He had an excellent attitude. He was the school captain and led by example. I always though he'd do very well because his attitude was spot on but I think it's unbelievable he's done as well as he has.

"I thought he was too small but he worked on everything - his fitness, his game - and was always willing to listen and learn."

Mr Davis revealed Stuart played in midfield for the school team but believes he has been playing left back since joining Villa after completing his GCSEs last year.

His sister Heather, who shows great aptitude for dance, is in Year 10 at Joseph Rowntree so Mr Davis still sees Stuart's parents on a regular basis.

"Cameron had great parental backing. His father is very proud of him and so are the school," he added.

City chief Dolan was heading to London this afternoon to watch Russ Howarth and England Under-18s take on Poland at White Hart Lane tonight.

With the Minstermen at Leyton Orient on Saturday, the City chief is expected to stay in the capital taking in Hull City's game at Southend United tomorrow night.

* Today's City v Huddersfield behind closed doors friendly at the Wigginton road training complex was called off this morning because of waterlogging.

Updated: 13:10 Thursday, March 22, 2001