NEW midfielder Mark Convery has revealed he decided to join York City despite interest from three League Two clubs.

Former Sunderland trainee Convery will play in the Conference for the first time next season after spending the last four years at Darlington.

But the 5ft 6in player was persuaded to make the drop by manager Billy McEwan's plans for the future, geographic considerations and City's supporters.

He said: "I spoke to Chester, Carlisle and Stockport, as well as a couple of other clubs, but this is not too far for me to travel and that was a big factor. Things did not work out for me at the end of last season for Darlington so I was just waiting to see what would happen when (City coach) Colin Walker rang me one morning and I ended up meeting the gaffer.

"He told me a bit about the club and I was impressed with what he wanted to do. I spoke to him for the first time last week and he's what you expect from somebody who wants to run things professionally.

"He seems to be bringing his own people in and all the people in the area seem to care about the club which is nice as well. The background seems ready so the team have got to start doing it now.

"Everything feels like a League club still here and once we had sorted out a deal that was good for both sides it was pretty straight forward from there really."

Despite opting for Conference football this season, Convery is keen to taste action in the English game's top four divisions with City again as soon as possible.

He said: "I want to be looking towards the play-offs and, if we got a place in them, that would be a great season for us. The club had a terrible fall when they went out of the League. They dropped right down from being in a play-off position and that would not have helped players' confidence but now I think everything is in place to go back up.

"I have got a few friends who have gone from the League into the Conference and I spoke to them before signing. They said there are a few weeks when it's a bit different but, for the majority of the season, the leagues are pretty similar."

Convery, 24, is a former team-mate of City goalkeeper Chris Porter at Darlington and also remembers Lev Yalcin from the Turkish youth international's trial at the Williamson Motors Stadium.

He is now hoping to line up alongside both players in the first XI when the new season kicks off in six weeks' time, saying: "I remember getting a bit of stick when I went near the touchline playing for Darlington at York so, hopefully, I will be getting a warmer reception now I am playing for the club! I just want to get in the team and stay there all season to prove myself."

Ever since Lee Bullock's departure, the Minstermen have struggled to find a link man between midfield and attack and, although Convery is too modest to list his strengths as a player, he admitted: "I do try to get forward as much as I can."

City's home Nationwide Conference match with Aldershot has been put back to Sunday, February 12.

The Minstermen attempt to play at least two Sabbath fixtures a season and the Shots also agreed to a Sunday switch last season.

Updated: 10:29 Friday, July 01, 2005