BILLY McEwan's first instruction is to preserve York City's Conference status.

The club's managing director Jason McGill believes the club's new manager can make that possible at the earliest opportunity by improving organisation, tactics, coaching and discipline at the club.

He added: "Security in this division is the be all and end all this season. I feel Billy will change things around in terms of discipline, coaching, tactics and organisation and I'm hoping his attributes in those areas will mean we reach safety very quickly.

"He has a lot of experience and has been successful where he's been before. I think we are fortunate to have Billy and I think we have done very well to attract him to York City.

"We need stability and consistency and to keep a manager who can work with, develop and attract players. I think we have a positive future."

It is believed McEwan will be working under a normal employment contract and McGill also elaborated on the circumstances of his arrival at KitKat Crescent, saying: "When Viv Busby offered his resignation after the FA Trophy match against Burton, we had to have a contingency plan as a board. It was only prudent to do so in case the manager's job was to become available.

"We had 50 applicants for the job when we relieved Chris Brass of his managerial duties and we went back to our files and picked out five key people who would have a good chance of doing something for York City Football Club. We then went through an interviewing process and Billy came out as the prime candidate."

City's head of youth development Paul Stancliffe declined to tell any tales of McEwan's notorious disciplinary methods this week - for fear of being disciplined.

Previous caretaker manager Busby preferred to work without a title at KitKat Crescent but Stancliffe, who played under McEwan at Sheffield United and Rotherham, is certain City players will be left in no doubt as to who is the boss from now on.

McEwan is believed to have fined players a week's wages in the past for failing to wear a club tie and Stancliffe said: "He has a reputation as a disciplinarian and I wouldn't disagree with that but you need discipline on and off the pitch. Having said that, it's 15 years since he was my manager so I could not comment on what he's like now."

Stancliffe played alongside fellow Rotherham resident McEwan during the 1979/80 season at Sheffield United before he later became his manager at Bramall Lane.

McEwan later took the commanding defender to Rotherham on loan and Stancliffe believes his boss will prove an astute appointment by the Minstermen.

Bishop can't keep up with Jones

MAN of the moment Andy Bishop missed out on the Nationwide Conference player of the month award to the FA Cup heroics of Exeter City goalkeeper Paul Jones against Premiership giants Manchester United.

The in-form striker polled 1,024 votes from non-League fans constituting some 15 per cent of the 6,599 total. Jones amassed 5,076 votes, while Michael Twiss of Morecambe received just 292 in third.

Groves makes his move from the back

PAUL Groves moved up to joint fourth in the Evening Press Player of the Year standings after a man-of-the-match performance during Sunday's 2-0 home defeat against Aldershot.

The former Grimsby player-manager has been a revelation since switching from midfield to centre-back and his three-point haul as our top man means he is also the early leader of the Preston and Duckworth Jewellers and Evening Press Player of the Month for February contest.

Fellow centre-back Jon Maloney (two) and midfield schemer Kevin Donovan (one) were the other City players to pick up points against the Shots. Groves picked up the extra two points available in the Player of the Month competition, having headed our readers' poll.

To be in with a chance of presenting this month's award and winning a Tissot watch, don't forget to e-mail your top man in any of City's games throughout February to dave.flett@ycp.co.uk or you can drop in your selection at our 76-86 Walmgate offices.

Current Evening Press Player of the Year standings: Merris 20 points, Bishop 17, Stockdale 16, Dunning 15, Groves 15, Donovan 12, Porter 11, Paul D Robinson 11, Pearson 10, Maloney 9, Brass 8, Davies 7, McGurk 7, Paul Robinson 7, Stewart 6, Yalcin 6, Grant 4, Davis 3, Nogan 3, Law 2, Arthur 1, Crichton 1, Staley 1.

Preston and Duckworth Jewellers and Evening Press Player of the Month for February latest standings: Groves 5, Maloney 2, Donovan 1.

Updated: 10:44 Saturday, February 12, 2005