WHAT a bitter disappointment for all York City fans that Billy McEwan's reign at the Crescent should end on such a low note after he had initially revitalised the club from top to bottom.

But coming into the position with a reputation for developing young talent, his record at York was appalling.

David Stockdale, a promising young goalkeeper discarded to the lower leagues after rejection by McEwan, is currently Darlington's first choice in League Two. Likewise Byron Webster, another young prospect never given a full first team outing by Billy, is now plying his trade in a higher level of football in Eastern Europe.

How Neil Aspin at table-topping Harrogate Town must have rejoiced at McEwan's folly in releasing Dave Merris (City's player of the year prior to McEwan's arrival) Darren Dunning, Nathan Price and Leigh Wood, all instrumental in helping Aspin to become one of the most coveted managers in the lower leagues.

With the club subject to severe financial restrictions, how could their youth policy be financially viable when in the two and a half years of McEwan's tenure not a single youngster was given a first-team opportunity in a side struggling in the lower reaches of the league? And most importantly what ambitious young player would sign on for a club offering virtually nil opportunity for first-team football?

Let us hope that the talents of Martyn Woolford, the shining light in the substandard outfit McEwan leaves behind, will not be squandered, unlike Andy Bishop, Neil Bishop and Clayton Donaldson, all quality players allowed to leave the club on free transfers.

Martin Fowler, Middlethorpe Grove, York.