I WRITE in response to recent comments from the chairman of York City about players lacking the will to fight and the need for a different kind of pay structure aimed at rewarding performance.

There are surely some players who should have been exempted from the chairman’s criticism.

Despite some sub-standard performances, there can surely be no doubt about the willingness to fight of Russell Penn and Luke Summerfield.

So far as pay structure is concerned, I am amazed that there is not a strong performance-related element in the contracts which the club has been using.

The chairman presumably has been closely involved in settling the terms of those contracts.

Despite my doubts about the wisdom of his latest remarks, it is good news that Jason McGill is staying at the helm despite the likely relegation from the Football League.

It would seem that a very substantial rebuilding exercise is now required both on and off the field.

York City will have to start the new season with a substantial intake of new players given the mass clear-out that we have seen.

But there is to my mind a need to rethink the whole basis of the club.

David Laverick, Hobgate, York