FORMER York City favourite Ian Blackstone has signed for Harrogate Railway.

Blackstone, who is now 39, has renewed his acquaintance with new Railway boss Martin Haresign after the pair worked together at Farsley Celtic and will combine his role as a player with coaching duties.

The 6ft striker played at Bootham Crescent for four seasons between 1990 and 1994 and was a member of the Minstermen's 1993 Division Three play-off winning team at Wembley.

'Blackie' as he is still nicknamed, bagged 42 goals in 148 League and cup outings for City.

He will miss tomorrow's trip to Northern Counties East League premier division neighbours Pickering Town because of work commitments, but Railway, who beat Goole Town in Haresign's first game in charge, are likely to include five more new signings.

Last season's top scorer Steve Davey and left-back Ian McLean have returned to Station View from Goole, along with centre-back Nigel Danby.

Midfielders Damien Place and Phil Turner have also been recruited from Farsley and Haresign may even bring in more new faces before tomorrow's 3pm kick off at the Recreation Ground.

Pickering Town go into the game with an unbeaten home record and sitting comfortably in sixth position.

The Pikes have also only played seven matches and if they win all the games in hand they currently have on the division's top six they would replace Selby Town at the top of the table.

Manager Steve Brown said: "Winning those games is easier said than done but I am certainly happy with our league position as we stand now.

"We also have three games in October that we can get something out of."

But Brown will stress that it is important for his players not to judge a much-changed Railway team by their current league position of 16th.

He said: "They are in a transitional period and the new management team have immediately made a lot of new signings. Ian Blackstone has been brought in to help and he has a good pedigree in professional football so they are to be respected."

Pickering will be without full-back Tom Reid because of work commitments and ex-York City junior skipper Pete Vasey is his likely replacement.

Former York City forward Scott Emerson is also in contention for a starting place but Dean MacAuley and Alex Willgrass are still doubtful.

Harrogate Town have a re-arranged home game with Frickley Athletic and a victory would leave them just one point behind Unibond League premier division leaders Alfreton Town.

The Wetherby Road men can also leapfrog third-placed Barrow, who are in FA Cup third qualifying round action this weekend.

Town boss John Reed has doubts over Ben Sherwood, Richard Dunning, Michael McNaughton and James Riordan, who all picked up midweek knocks in the 2-0 win at Whitby.

But Glenn Naylor's first goal for the club and outstanding performance has eased concerns about his strikeforce.

NCEL first division bottom club Tadcaster Albion travel to fifth-placed Carlton United bolstered by the return of striker Mickey Amos and midfield pair Mark Hick and Matt Howgate after injuries.

But Barry Rankin is still unavailable and strikers James Hicks (hamstring) and Jim Taylor (knee) are both fitness concerns.

Midfielder James Jollands should play despite a swollen ankle.

Albion boss Wayne Day is backing his team to climb off the foot of the table soon, saying: "The only game when we have not been at the races was against Winsford. Apart from that, I think we have matched most teams and I would be more concerned if we were playing badly.

"It's tight at the bottom and one win could still lift us a third of the way up the table."

BROTHERLY love is to be the name of the game at Selby Town, writes Sally Fletcher.

The Robins, who are without a game tomorrow, have secured the services of the brother of influential striker Joe Gaughan.

Pat Gaughan, a young midfielder previously at Pickering, will join Town.

Updated: 11:25 Friday, October 10, 2003