Tournament hosts York City are kicking off their pre-season programme with a "feast of football".

The Minstermen today unveiled a new addition to their summer calendar - a four team mini-tournament at Bootham Crescent over two days in July.

Opposition will be provided by North Yorkshire rivals Scarborough, Premiership old boys Barnsley and Scottish first division side Airdrie.

The club also announced friendlies against first division Huddersfield Town, whose squad includes ex-City favourite Paul Barnes, and Guiseley.

Meanwhile, Premiership newcomers Middlesbrough provide mouth-watering opposition for manager Alan Little's Testimonial game.

Little declared the pre-season programme was assembled to provide a stern test for his players when they return from their summer break early in July.

The manager admitted the players may have "breezed" through recent pre-seasons but is determined that will change this year, starting with the tournament on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19.

The stay at home policy is a departure from the last six pre-seasons, when City have travelled twice each to the Isle of Wight, Dublin and Scotland.

Said Little: "The tournament is fantastic and hopefully will cause major interest. It is a feast of football.

"I think there is going to be some good football for people to come and see and that is all part of the pre-season build up. There will be two games on each day and it is going to be different."

The City boss added that the club had harboured hopes of staging their own tournament after two consecutive years of taking part in a similar event at Livingstone.

"This year it is right because it is a short break and a short pre-season and we did not really want to travel away from York as we have done in the past," he said.

"For me it is more about pre-season fitness but there are going to be medals and a cup. I think it is something for the people. It is a nice mix of teams and I am pleased they are taking part."

The format for the tournament has yet to be finalised but all four teams will be in action on both days.

Huddersfield visit Bootham Crescent for a friendly on Monday, July 27, kick off 7.30pm, in a furthering of links between the clubs which were established when City agreed to a hastily-arranged reserve match last season.

Said the manager: "We have nice links with them and get on well as two clubs. They came and played a game in the season with the reserves. They wanted to come and play York City. Paul Barnes will be coming back and they will also be a tough test for my team.

"Maybe in the past we have breezed through pre-season without a real test. But I will be looking at a measure from that game to see what we have to do, they are a quality first division side."

Middlesbrough visit on Wednesday, July 29 in a benefit game for Little, marking his ten years with City, and then York wrap up their preparations with a trip to Guiseley on Monday, August 3, kick off 7.30pm. Little's men have been drawn to play Scarborough in the early stages of the North Riding Senior Cup, with the game to be played at the McCain Stadium on or before Saturday, July 25. YORK CITY'S PRE-SEASON PROGRAMME

Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19 - four team tournament at Bootham Crescent featuring City, Scarborough, Barnsley and Airdrie. Details of matches and prices to be confirmed.

Monday, July 27 - friendly against Huddersfield Town at Bootham Crescent, 7.30pm.

Wednesday, July 29 - Alan Little's Testimonial Match against Middlesbrough at Bootham Crescent, 7.30pm.

Monday, August 3 - friendly at Guiseley, 7.30pm.

On or before Saturday, July 25 - North Riding Senior Cup against Scarborough at McCain Stadium.

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