SAFE HANDS Mark Ovendale reckons the future is looking bright for York City and the new-look merry Minstermen.

With just one week to the start of the Division Three campaign, the latest recruit to the City ranks insists a promotion challenge is on the agenda.

"I think there is a great chance to be honest," he said.

"I wouldn't have signed if there wasn't potential to go higher.

"I remember playing against York for Bournemouth in Division Two. It was a bit of a struggle for York that year but I see no reason why the team can't go up this year."

Ovendale admitted he was delighted to be back in the Football League.

After being released by Luton Town, who splashed out almost £500,000 for his services in 2000, Ovendale signed a two-year deal with Barry Town and sampled Champions' League football just last month with the Welsh outfit.

It was at Barry where Ovendale started his career but the 29-year-old shot-stopper admitted his return ticket this time around had been signed in haste.

He explained: "I got a free from Luton and there was just nothing out there.

"I have a wife and a little boy and I wanted some stability for them.

"In hindsight, I should have signed non-contract terms with Barry and played in their European games.

"But my family needed that stability so I signed for two years but I knew the manager wouldn't stand in my way if a return to League football was there for me."

He added: "I'm really happy to be here.

"I've been very impressed with the set-up at York.

"The training ground is magnificent, it is nice little ground and everyone has made me feel very welcome.

"Division Three is a tough league to get out of but the lads here are fit, young and willing to do well, while the manager is very professional.

"I think the future looks bright."

Ovendale admitted his first priority was securing the number one jersey from fellow new signing Chris Porter.

"There's no guarantee I'll be starting next Saturday, Chris is a very good 'keeper and you can't take things like that for granted. But that's how it should be," he said.

Updated: 11:03 Saturday, August 02, 2003