Oli Johnson released by York City

OLI Johnson has left York City after reaching an agreement over the remainder of his contract at Bootham Crescent.

The 25-year-old forward, whose one-year deal with the Minstermen would have come to an end in the summer, has departed having never completed a full game under City boss Gary Mills.

Johnson made just one start following his arrival from Oxford last June during the 4-0 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy home defeat to Coventry when he was replaced on 68 minutes.

In a campaign dogged by a stomach and groin problem, Johnson’s League contributions also amounted to a paltry four substitute outings with his last of seven appearances in City colours coming during the 4-3 FA Cup replay defeat to AFC Wimbledon in mid-November.

On the former Yeovil, Norwich and Stockport attacker’s departure, Mills said: “We have come to an agreement with Oli Johnson and he is no longer with us.

“I wasn’t getting enough from Oli and things didn’t work out so he’s moved on.

“I have to concentrate on the players that are still here and the jobs they need to do for this football club.”

Johnson played no part in Wednesday’s 2-0 North Riding Senior Cup semi-final defeat to Marske United and becomes the second summer signing, after left-back Danny Blanchett, to be released by Mills prior to the end of his contract.

City boss Mills did not attend the Marske match, which included five players with first-team experience – Paul Musselwhite, Lee Bullock, John McReady, David McDaid and Tom Allan – as well as transfer window recruit Jameel Ible, but added: “The result was not a good one and I will be looking at the DVD to see what happened.”

First-year pro Tom Platt, meanwhile, continues to impress during his second loan spell at Harrogate Town, having been on target in their last two wins against Gloucester at the weekend and Boston United on Tuesday night.

The teenage midfielder is the Blue Square Bet North play-off contender’s third top scorer this season with ten goals despite only playing 14 games.

Having been on the bench for City’s first team, however, he has never made it on to the pitch with Mills explaining that he did not feel Platt was quite ready for League Two football.

The Minstermen chief added: “I gave Tom a contract until the end of the season but I did not really see enough to play him here.

“He went to Halifax for a while but they did not want him back but sometimes, as a player, you find somewhere where you do well and he’s certainly found that to be the case at Harrogate.

“It’s a couple of levels down from here but I hope he goes on to help to get them in the play-offs.”