BURNING ambition at the top lies behind Darren Patterson's decision to kick-start his career in the basement.

A Northern Ireland international who little more than 18 months ago was shackling German goal-king Oliver Bierhoff, the 31-year-old would have had no shortage of clubs keen on securing his services.

But after an injury-ravaged season, Patterson explained he was delighted to have landed a short-term contract with York City.

And despite their current lowly status, the former Dundee United, Wigan, Crystal Palace and Luton centre-back insists better times could be just around the corner for the Minstermen.

"I have to be honest and say I've been surprised and very pleased with the whole set-up," said the Belfast-born stopper.

"It is run very professionally and Terry is very ambitious. I know the chairman is too and they want to go places.

"I know at the minute the position isn't that good for the club but they have got plans for this football club to take it on and that is what impressed me about the place."

Another factor in his decision to commit himself to the City cause was the quality of the squad assembled.

It was striker Alex Mathie, a team-mate of Patterson's at Dundee United, who recommended him to Dolan, while goalkeeper Alan Fettis had also given his Northern Ireland team-mate a glowing reference.

"I know Alex well and I know Fetty very well; we played from Northern Ireland Under-16s through to full international.

"He is a very good goalkeeper and I look around the dressing room and see there are some good quality players here.

"They have had a bit of bad luck with injuries but if we can get the same team out week-in week-out we can shoot up the league, that is the aim."

Patterson, who earned the last of his 17 caps in Northern Ireland's 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in May last year, insists he still has hopes of regaining his place in the international set-up.

He earned five caps in Northern Ireland's Euro 2000 qualifying campaign, including a 3-0 defeat at Windsor Park to a German side featuring AC Milan's Bierhoff, Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann and the legendary Lothar Matthaus.

"It (international football) is long term but I just want to get up every morning and feel okay, train, play my games and get my fitness and do my best for York," he said.

"It has been a long, long time since I played.

"My fitness isn't what he would like it to be but I am working hard and hopefully I will get there soon."

After being out for four months with an Achilles problem having left Tannadice Park in the summer, Patterson admitted he was looking forward to making a fresh start.

"I have been up in Scotland for two years and had a year left on my contract but I left in the summer. I didn't want to stay and I wanted to come back down.

"I had a lot of clubs organised and sorted and basically I played a game for Northampton and I got injured.

"It went bad and I am just getting back into it now.

"The problem was I kept coming back too quickly because I was anxious to get back into things and obviously I wasn't earning.

"It was one of those injuries you can't rush and so it has been very difficult indeed, more mentally than physically, but I'm fine now and everything is spot-on and I just can't wait to get back playing."

Pundits purr over Jonno display

JONATHAN Greening's appearance for Manchester United against Sunderland last week no doubt had City's bank manager rubbing his hands with glee.

The former City starlet's appearance was his 20th in a United shirt and so, as reported in the Evening Press, banked the Minstermen another very welcome £100,000.

But the Scarborough-born youngster's star-showing also had a number of top football pundits purring with pleasure.

Most notably former Bradford City boss Chris Kamara who insisted "there is little doubt Jonathan Greening has all the makings to become a Premiership star in the future".

Writing in The Sun, Kamara continued to wax lyrical about the 21-year-old, claiming he "dominated" the first half, "ghosted" into goalscoring positions and created "at least five other" opportunities.

Yet for all Greening's qualities Kamara reasons the youngster's career may be best served away from Old Trafford.

"Realistically you can't see any way through for the talented Greening - which is why he may be forced to look elsewhere for regular first-team football," he said.

Another couple more eye-catching performances from Greening and no doubt a number of top-clubs maybe willing to splash the cash to land the striker-cum-midfielder.

Any move would also be of interest to City, who are set to claim around 25 per cent of any sell-on fee.

However, Bootham Crescent would bank more in the long term if Greening stays at Old Trafford for a good while longer - up to 40 games - and then moves in a multi-million pound transfer.

That way City will continue to take regular and very welcome delivery of £100,000 cheques before claiming a hefty chunk of any future transfer.

Fortunately, then, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson indicated this week that Greening remains very much part of his first-team plans.

In an interview in The Observer last week, Sir Alex suggested Greening could well take over from David Beckham on the right of the Red Devils' midfield when the England skipper moves into the centre.

That will be music to Minstermen ears.

Mid-table moves

MID-TABLE manoeuvres continue to dominate the Evening Press/Unique Pub Co player of the year rankings.

Top scorer David McNiven stepped up his challenge on the front-runners with his goal-of-the-season contender against Shrewsbury last week.

It earned him two points and brought McNiven level with Wayne Hall in fourth place.

Typical no-nonsense defending from Mark Sertori merited him the man-of-the-match award and three points however, and leaves him just one point behind both Hall and Hulme.

Striker Alex Mathie picked up the remaining point to move level with Graham Potter as Alan Fettis and Steve Agnew continue to enjoy a healthy advantage at the top of the pile.

This season's player-of-the-year format sees City's man of the match in each game receive three points, the second best player receive two points and the third best one point. Whoever tops the table at the end of the season wins not only the annual trophy but also a £350 cash prize courtesy of Unique Pub Co, with the runner-up receiving £150.

Player of the year rankings

Alan Fettis - 23

Steve Agnew - 20

Matt Hocking - 16

Wayne Hall - 13

David McNiven - 13

Mark Sertori - 12

Kevin Hulme - 8

Alex Mathie - 7

Graham Potter - 7

Gary Hobson - 5

Neville Stamp - 4

Neil Tarrant - 4

Darren Edmondson - 3

Barry Jones - 2