York City were today signing experienced goalkeeper Paul Musselwhite as both number two to Michael Ingham and also as goalkeeping coach.

The 42-year-old Musselwhite was at Bootham Crescent today to put pen to paper on a deal in which he will replace former Minstermen stopper Andy Leaning as coach.

Last season’s number two David Knight will also be told he can leave.

City manager Gary Mills paid tribute to Leaning’s contribution to last season.

But he added that he believed Musselwhite’s recruitment would not only provide experience as a coach but also offer him the perfect stand-in for Ingham.

And the City boss also revealed he had made offers to three potential targets, whom he is convinced would prove “significant” acquisitions if they all agreed to come to the Crescent.

Musselwhite’s signing developed over the last day or so when Mills and number two Darron Gee were made aware of the veteran goalkeeper’s availability from Lincoln, who, coincidentally, were relegated to the Blue Square Bet Premier six weeks ago.

Musselwhite, who started his League career as an apprentice at Portsmouth in 1986, has totalled 718 appearances with no fewer than 616 in the Football League.

He had two distinguished spells with Scunthorpe and was also number one at Port Vale, Hull City and Lincoln City, as well as having stints at Kettering, Eastleigh and Gateshead.

Said Mills: “Paul is hugely experienced and he was number two at Lincoln last season.

“He is willing to come in as goalkeeping coach as well as the number two slot to Michael Ingham.

“He has been a very consistent performer for a long time and he is very excited about coming to York City.

“Scott Kerr obviously knows him from their time at Lincoln over the last few years and he had a word with Paul about what we are trying to do here.

“Paul is somebody who can be a goalkeeping coach and can also step in and play when needed.”

Mills admitted it was a difficult decision to relinquish former City goalkeeper Leaning’s second spell at the club.

Leaning, who was a star between the posts at York in between 1985 and 1987, returned last summer, brought in as goalkeeping coach by Mills’ predecessor, Martin Foyle.

“Andy was superb for us and I know he is disappointed at this,” said the City chief.

“It’s not an easy decision when you feel you have to change things, but it’s part of my job and it’s about what I think is right for us going forward.

“It’s a professional, footballing decision.”

Mills’ quest for new blood for the coming campaign now centres on a trio of targets.

He told The Press: “I have made three offers to three players, who I feel will be significant signings.

“Whether I get them I don’t know. I know that every time the phone rings you are hoping it’s going to be an answer of ‘yes’.

“I know if I get these three players they will be big signings for us.”