NIGEL Worthington has appointed Fred Barber as his assistant at York City and promoted youth-team chief Steve Torpey to a first-team coaching role.

Former Northern Ireland and Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper coach Barber will also double up to perform that role at Bootham Crescent after the departure of Paul Musselwhite.

Gary Mills’ former number two Darron Gee also left the Minstermen yesterday, following fellow backroom staff member Des Lyttle and Musselwhite out of the exit door.

On the recruitment of ex-Darlington and Walsall shot-stopper Barber, the new City chief said: “Fred used to come in a couple of afternoons when I was at Blackpool and he was working for Bolton. I also had him with me at Northern Ireland and he brings fantastic knowledge and experience.

“He works the ’keepers extremely hard and he has played a huge part in Jussi Jaaskelainen’s achievements.”

Explaining Torpey’s elevation from the under-18 ranks, Worthington added: “Steve has been at the club for a number of years and his knowledge of the players will be instrumental to our work.

“He’s clearly 100 per cent committed to the club and it will be good to pick his brains on certain things. It’s also a good opportunity for Steve and he’s a good lad who has impressed me already in training.”