YORK City manager Gary Mills has urged supporters to forget the immediate past and rally behind the club again.

The Minstermen play host to Chester today (Saturday) in the first of three games in a week that could shape the club's season.

As reported, Mills is challenging his players to prove they have a future at the club and the next three games are likely to determine whether wholesale changes are needed.

Mills, however, has also stressed the important role that fans have to play in reviving the club's fortunes.

Unhappy with the team's start to the season, a section of supporters had been protesting against former manager Jackie McNamara and home gates have fallen.

But a victory today (Saturday) could boost morale and may lift the Minstermen six points clear of the National League relegation zone ahead of Tuesday's trip to bottom of the table Southport.

"Winning a game of football can make everyone feel positive," said Mills. "Things can be turned around very quickly in football - and I am looking forward to the challenge - but I need the fans' help, as tough as it is at the moment.

"As supporters, they haven't got what they possibly deserved this season. Sometimes, when it's not going your way, that is the time to stand up and show that you still get behind the team. The fans have as much a part to play as the players.

"I want to win on Saturday and then say 'Here we go and give everyone a lift. Long term, I want us in a position where people are saying 'here come York City' and we are starting to show everyone that we are capable of getting back into the Football League."

Opponents Chester are only four points off the play-off places after winning five of their last six games under the guidance of former York winger Jon McCarthy.

Ironically, the only league game Chester failed to win in those six was against Wrexham who were managed, at the time, by Mills.

"We played them three weeks ago, it was 0-0 and a tough game," Mills recalled. "They have picked up a few results and, with that, has come confidence.

"They were well organised and Jon is doing a good job but they lost at Southport last week (in the FA Cup) so we have to make sure they have another defeat this weekend.

"At the end of the day, it is about us," Mills added. "It is what we do that matters. I am not worrying about other sides. If we play how I want to play, we can get a result."

Mills, meanwhile, has explained his decision to axe fitness coach Adi Hammond and performance analyst James Fisk from the backroom staff this week.

The pair joined former assistant-manager Simon Donnelly in leaving the club after McNamara's move 'upstairs' to become chief executive.

"I am more old school basic so a couple of people have left the football club in a capacity I don't really need," he said. "People talk about the 'modern game' but nothing has changed. It is still two goals and eleven players.

"I don't want to know how many times their heart is beating when they are playing! I want to know that they have got a heart first! It's important that I see every player at this club has got a big heart to win football matches."

Chesterfield manager Danny Wilson has confirmed that striker Rai Simons snubbed the opportunity to move on loan to York this week.

The Press revealed that Mills had been weighing up a move for the Bermuda international but Wilson said: "There were plans to send him but he refused to go! York wanted to take him but he wanted to see what happens in January. He didn’t want to go and that’s disappointing from my point of view.”