RELEASED York City players Dave Merris and Chris Porter are both considering careers outside the game.

Merris and Porter were both members of the Minstermen's last Football League side and have completed three full seasons at KitKat Crescent.

Left-back Merris, 25, joined City from non-League neighbours Harrogate Town while Porter, who is a year older, started out as a trainee with Sunderland in 1998 before spells at Darlington, Hartlepool and Southend.

Former Rotherham United junior Merris is a sports science graduate and Porter is close to completing the same course, leaving both players prepared to consider their career options should the search for another professional club prove fruitless this summer.

Ex-Press Player of the Year Merris said: "I would like to stay full-time in football but, if nothing comes along, I will have to get a proper job. I'm not stupid and I've done a sports science course so I could look into doing something with that - maybe teaching."

Porter, who made 68 appearances between the sticks for City, is also ready to weigh up his job prospects.

He said: "I've already been offered a job outside of football but I won't rush into anything quickly. It's a fact, though, that you don't get many long-term deals in football any more.

"If you want to move forward in life, you have to be selfish sometimes and maybe see what you can do elsewhere. I'm open-minded. I'm not just a footballer and have some good qualifications. I've got A-levels and am doing a sports science degree part-time."

Porter has already received recognition for his work away from the playing field after his selection as City's Community Player of the Year by the club board and he feels it is an area many footballers neglect, adding: "There's so much you can give back to the fans and the club than a lot of people realise.

"The fans pay their hard-earned money and I felt that if I could give something back to the club or to charity then I would not hesitate to do so."

Having played in all but one of City's games this season, Porter did, however, admit to being a little shocked by his release and said: "It came as a little bit of a surprise but we are in the football game and you have to expect all possible outcomes.

"The manager thanked me for my hard work but said I could do with a fresh start. That's his opinion and he's the manager.

"I'm disappointed but not bitter and won't be feeling sorry for myself. I just wish Billy and the lads all the best for next season."

Merris, meanwhile, admitted he was not as taken aback by his release.

He added: "I was expecting to be one of the lads released. It's very disappointing but football's a cut-throat industry and you can't be down for too long.

"I've enjoyed every minute I've been with the club even though we've had some tough times. The fans have been brilliant to me since day one and words cannot explain how I feel after they gave me that reception when I came on in the last game of the season against Hereford. I will remember that until I die and it was very appreciated."

Updated: 09:53 Saturday, May 06, 2006