Christian Fox has achieved one aim with a three year contract under his belt - now his eyes are set on promotion.

The 19-year-old marked an impressive first full season as a professional with York City by being offered, and accepting, a new three year deal by Bootham Crescent boss Terry Dolan.

But that is just the platform for better things reckons midfielder Fox, whose teenage club-mates Lee Bullock and Marc Thompson, also committed themselves to the club for three and two years, respectively.

"I was very pleased because I had just one season to go on my contract, but to now have three gives me a great deal of security," said Fox.

"The contract talks have been going on for a couple of months and obviously they have been in the back of my mind, but all any footballer wants to do is just have the chance to concentrate on his game and I can do that now which is brilliant.

"And Terry Dolan has said he just wants me to come back to pre-season training flying and really pushing for a regular first team place, because he feels we should be looking for promotion next season.

"I think that is a realistic aim and I really want to be a part of that."

For both Fox and Bullock it is a tremendous boost after both had shown they had plenty to offer when they got their first team chances, only to then have their runs in the team cut short by injuries.

For Fox the reward of a new deal is something he clearly wants to make the most of.

" If I had gone into next season on just one year and the got injured I would have been more worried because it would have been hard to show what you can do, and that type of thing is always in the back of your mind," explained Fox.

"But now I can get on with my game and I feel that both Lee and myself did reasonably well when we played last season.

"The contracts maybe seen as some reward for what we did last season, but we have to do better next season.

At one time City were relegation haunted, but Dolan's decision to harden defensive resolve removed the fear factor well before the season's end.

However, Fox feels that resolve must now also be matched with some flair going forward.

"I don't think we operated as a team in the first half of last season, we had a lot of individuals doing things but we didn't function as a side," said Fox.

"But we hardened up and did well to stay up and now we have got to add a little bit of that individual play on top of being a hard side to crack."

Dolan said he was delighted both Fox and Bullock have committed themselves to City despite season-long speculation linking them to top clubs.

"I see them both as very much part of the future at Bootham Crescent," said Dolan.

"I have been assured by people at the club I have not seen the best of either of them yet but I see this as a very positive step."

Dolan has yet to receive answers from defender Barry Jones, goalkeeper Alan Fettis and full-back Darren Edmondson, who are all considering contract offers.

"I have now spoken to all three of them and I'm just waiting for them to get back to me, but there is no rush and no deadlines on that," said Dolan.

Experienced defender Chris Fairclough can look forward to an immediate return to the fold when City reconvene for pre-season training.

Fairclough underwent a knee operation on Wednesday and has come through without any complications.

"Chris has come through fine and he just needs a couple of weeks rest," confirmed Dolan.

"Once he has done that he can come straight back in for pre-season training."