York City first team coach Adie Shaw insisted today nobody is out in the cold at Bootham Crescent, writes Dave Stanford.

The senior squad has seen its numbers swollen to 27 players after City chief Terry Dolan snapped up trialist striker David McNiven on a one-year deal.

That number could soon be 28 with fellow trialist Phil Hadland currently weighing up a similar offer.

But despite confessing City now possessed a big squad containing no less than eight strikers, Shaw was adamant that McNiven's arrival would not force departures.

"We have got a big squad but nobody is in the wilderness," said Shaw. "There are nine days to go before the start of the season and we have a game against North Ferriby on Saturday and against Scarborough on Wednesday and places are up for grabs.

"If players can come in and prove they are worth a place they will be selected.

"A striker's job is to score goals and we didn't do enough of that last season. We do have eight strikers but nobody is out of the picture."

The eight are McNiven, Peter Duffield, Barry Conlon, Mark Sertori, John Williams, Colin Alcide, James Turley and Marc Williams.

Marc Williams and midfielder Craig Skinner are the only City players currently on the transfer list.

Shaw revealed Hadland, 19, released by Reading at the end of last season, had received overtures from other clubs but was hopeful the situation would be resolved soon.

"We see him as a wing back because as an out and out winger he can deliver a good ball and at only 19 he has got bags of potential."

McNiven, 22, was a free agent after being released by Oldham Athletic this summer and has scored twice for City in just two pre-season starts, grabbing the winners against Marske United and Newcastle Town.

The bustling forward, who also notched two goals in six games while on loan at Scarborough last season, has impressed Dolan in training and at the club's training camp at Keele University.

"He has come into the first team squad and not looked out of place. He has a good touch, holds the ball up well, is strong, gets in the box and has got two goals in two games."

York City's youth team were looking to maintain their unbeaten start to their season preparations this afternoon when they took on Barnsley Under-19s.

Former York City War-time player and Charlton skipper Benny Fenton, who made 264 appearances for the Addicks at inside forward has died at the age of 81.

He served various backroom positions at The Valley after his playing career ended and also managed Colchester, Orient and Millwall.

Fenton played eight times for York, scoring twice, in 1943.

dave.stanford@ycp.co.uk

PICTURE: David McNiven