BILLY McEwan has hit back over comments made by North Ferriby United manager Brian France over transfer talks the York City boss held with the UniBond League side's former striker Gary Bradshaw.

France was reported as saying that Bradshaw did not fancy the set-up at KitKat Crescent by the Non-League newspaper, but now insists his quotes were taken out of context and he intended no disrespect.

McEwan, meanwhile, believes Bradshaw's reasons for turning down a move to the Minstermen were more likely to be financial and the 22-year-old striker has since signed for Cheltenham Town - led by ex-City chief John Ward - having scored 14 UniBond goals this term.

The City manager said: "How could somebody who doesn't like our set-up come back to speak to us four times with his girlfriend and why would anybody not like the set-up here at the moment? We have a good training ground and a nice stadium by Conference standards and crowds that are better than most League Two teams.

"I'm disappointed at the comments from their manager about him not liking the set-up. I don't think the player liked what he was offered.

"He could have been a York City player if I had given him what he was looking for but I offered what I thought the player was worth. I felt that we could offer him more than North Ferriby could and could improve his career by developing him but I have got a budget and there's no way I can give a player more than the others are on at York City.

"He had a chat with his partner and felt he could get something better somewhere else. He's a little goalscoring poacher and I would have liked him to have joined us but now I hope he does well at Cheltenham."

Former Minstermen manager Ward moved swiftly to offer Bradshaw a deal with Cheltenham until the end of the season when it became clear the forward would not be joining Ward's old club.

Bradshaw, who started his career at Hull City but left for Harrogate Town after only managing one goal in 26 matches for the Tigers, went on trial with the Robins earlier in the season and made his debut for the Whaddon Road reserve side last night.

About his new signing, Ward said: "He is keen to have another chance at this level and you often find that second chance players have an extra bit of hunger and desire."

North Ferriby manager France, father-in-law of ex-Premiership ace and current Bradford City striker Dean Windass, said: "If the tone of my comments suggested I was being disrespectful to Billy McEwan then that's rubbish.

"I haven't even spoken to Billy. The only person I talked with was Colin Walker, who I know from the past.

"I am friendly with a lot of people in York. I talk a lot with Gordon Staniforth, who I believe still has links with York City and was the best professional in terms of attitude and ability that we ever had at North Ferriby."

City juniors entertain Marine in the first qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup at KitKat Crescent tonight, ko 7.30pm.

Updated: 11:03 Wednesday, October 05, 2005