NEW Harrogate Railway management duo Dave Harrison and John Francis are aiming to use their Leeds United connections to fire the Station Viewers to success.

Harrison and Francis replace York-based Paul Marshall who was controversial asked to re-apply for the job despite leading the club to the second round of the FA Cup and to President's Cup glory.

But despite these accolades for Marshall, it took the Railway board little over an hour and a half to plump for the Harrison-Francis axis after their initial interview.

And now the pair, who are both Leeds United Academy coaches, are relishing the chance of guiding Railway towards the top-flight.

"It was a surprise that this job came up, we weren't sure that we would go for it," said Harrison. "We thought about going for the job during the season when all the trouble broke, but when it came up John said we should get back into it and did all the running around sorting out our CVs.

"The board made their decision within an hour and half, so it all happen quite fast.

"We've spoken to one or two of the players and we're hoping to speak to the rest over the next few days. We'd love them to stay at the club, but they will have to want to play for us and Harrogate Railway."

The board have set the former Garforth management team a minimum of a top-five aim, with promotion not off the agenda.

And Harrison is going to look to Leeds United to help him boost the club's chances of success - in the short and long-term.

"We are looking at bringing a few people from Leeds to work with the lads, like a goalkeeping coach to help with the training," said Harrison. "Hopefully it will help to improve the kids at the clubs.

"We have a few numbers of lads who are without contracts after leaving Leeds and other clubs that we will try to bring in to bring through and boost the academy.

"You can't go throwing money at 30+ year-old players and get no return, you've got to look to the future."

As well as Leeds, the pairing as also keen to use Francis' links with York City.

The much-travelled striker, who played in the league with Sheffield United, Burnley and Cambridge, had a young Chris Brass as his apprentice when he was at Turf Moor. And now he is keen to call in a favour from the newly-installed City chief and arrange a friendly against the Minstermen.

Updated: 11:02 Tuesday, June 10, 2003