HARTLEPOOL United have offered to send out-of-favour players and promising youngsters to York City next season.

The League One outfit visit KitKat Crescent for a friendly tomorrow (3pm) armed with a collection of Minstermen old boys.

Lee Bullock, Michael Proctor, Darren Williams and Mark Tinkler will all be returning to their old stomping ground, along with Steve Agnew, who is now Hartlepool's assistant manager.

But manager Martin Scott is hoping the match can be the beginning of a relationship between the two clubs that could see Hartlepool players moving in the opposite direction.

Scott played under City boss Billy McEwan at Rotherham United in 1988 and is keen to help his former mentor, saying: "I know Billy from my days at Rotherham and I am delighted to see him back in football.

"Hopefully this can be the start of a good relationship with York, maybe we can loan them younger players or send players there for work experience because they play at a good level and I know it is a great set-up. We have done this in previous years, sending players out to all kinds of different clubs and the reason we do it is because we know it helps people to progress with their careers."

McEwan welcomed the possible future link-up between the two clubs, saying: "Martin joined me as a young boy when I was manager at Rotherham. They have one or two players that he might loan to us and if they are good enough we would welcome them into our team.

"It could help both clubs because we can help develop players for them.

"Like Doncaster, Hartlepool have made big strides in recent seasons and an example for all clubs of our size."

The Minstermen's second pre-season friendly at Guiseley ended in 1-1 stalemate last night but it was a much improved performance on Tuesday night's 2-1 defeat at Frickley Athletic and ticked all the right boxes in terms of a work out.

Former St Johnstone striker Emmnauel Panther and Jason Smith played for City as trialists.

Panther spent two years with the Saints but has been on Partick Thistle's books for the last two seasons and ended the 2004/2005 campaign on loan to Brechin.

He has scored five times in 46 appearances for the three Scottish sides.

The UniBond League premier division hosts put in an honest, solid display and City had to graft to nullify the home side's exuberance in what was their first run-out.

City recovered to take the lead midway through the first half. Some poor defending by the UniBond side allowed unmarked Dave Pounder to latch onto a ball inside the area. The midfield trialist had the time and space to calmly stroke the ball into the unguarded net.

McEwan said he was 'quite happy' with the way the fixture had gone and he thanked his opposite number - former Leeds United and West Brom defender Neil Parsley - paving the way for a return to West Yorkshire in next year's pre-season programme.

Released City veteran Paul Groves has joined Stafford Rangers as a player-coach.

Updated: 10:28 Friday, July 22, 2005