DEFENSIVE rock Peter Swan will be York City's new club captain for the season, manager Terry Dolan revealed today.

Swan played a major role in stemming the flow of goals conceded at the end of last season and was rewarded with a new one-year contract over the summer.

Dolan snapped the 33-year-old former Leeds United, Hull City, Port Vale and Bury ace on a free after he was released by Burnley despite fighting his way back to fitness from a lengthy knee injury.

Dolan said: "He is somebody that the players respect and he is a good leader.

"We have to have one club captain but I hope on the field of play we will have plenty of captains with Peter as the figurehead."

Swan skippered the team towards the end of last year and takes over the club captain's armband from Chris Fairclough. Barry Jones also captained the team last season.

First team coach Adie Shaw hailed the resigning of goalkeeper Alan Fettis as a massive boost in the club's push for promotion.

As reported on the Evening Press website www.thisisyork.co.uk yesterday afternoon, the Northern Ireland international ended speculation over his Bootham Crescent future by signing a new three-year deal.

"It is tremendous news because Alan is a big piece in the jigsaw," said Shaw. "He is an international 'keeper and the fact somebody like him should commit three years to York City is a massive boost.

"The fans took to Alan at the end of last season and I am sure they will see it as a great signing too."

With all the City players now signed on, Shaw admitted the 26-strong squad was a big one for a Third Division club.

But he did not rule out the Minstermen dipping in the transfer market in the future should the need arise.

"We do not stop looking and if someone becomes available who we feel will strengthen the squad we will pursue it," he said.

Shaw said City chief Terry Dolan was still looking at trialists Phil Hadland and David McNiven.

"Both are doing very well but it is difficult to judge them because we are doing a lot of fitness work at the moment," he said.

"We will be coming into a few games over the next couple of weeks so we will get more of an idea then."

And he hailed the mood of the Botham Crescent camp as second to none as the players train twice a week and on Saturday mornings.

"If the lads are happy in training then I believe we will get better performances. We have some big characters in the club and no one can knock the atmosphere running through the club."

FORMER Scarborough striker Geoff Horsfield has completed a record £2.25million move from Fulham to Birmingham City.

The 26-year-old former Halifax hitman, who scored 32 goals in 74 appearances for the Cottagers, has agreed a five-year deal with Trevor Francis' side.

The one-time Barnsley-born bricklayer resurrected his career at the Shay after being shown the door by the Seasiders early in his career and dropping into non-league football.

PICTURE: SKIPPER: Peter Swan