Defender Paddy Atkinson has made the North Yorkshire side-step from York City to Scarborough.

Freed by the Minstermen at the end of last season Atkinson has agreed to join the Third Division outfit beaten in the play-off semi-finals six weeks ago.

And now the 28-year-old Atkinson is relishing the prospect of a swift return to Bootham Crescent, this time in the red shirt of the Seasiders against City in the four-team pre-season tournament also involving Barnsley and Airdrie in just over a fortnight's time.

Atkinson, who had been linked with Oldham, Notts County, Hartlepool and Darlington after his release from City plumped for Boro after talks held with manager Mick Wadsworth. He is expected to sign a one-year deal.

Said the Geordie: "A lot of clubs have been in contact, but a lot of managers have also asked me to wait.

"But interest alone is no good. The only good interest is at the bank. Mr Wadsworth came in and discussed an offer and I've agreed to sign, though I've not put pen to paper just yet.

"I just want to get back to playing first-team football again after last season which was something of a dead loss for me. I'm excited about Scarborough and also looking ahead to coming back to York to play in the pre-season tournament."

Atkinson will likely figure as an attacking wing-back in a Boro defence that has undergone considerable re-structuring since their May-time play-off heartache.

Besides Atkinson, whose ousting at Bootham Crescent was hastened by the arrival of former Boro star Neil Thompson as City's new player-coach, the Seasiders have signed French central defender Alex Mirenkov and ex-Blackpool pivot Jason Lydiate.

Those two have come in for Jason Rockett, forced to retire from the professional game because of knee damage and last season's skipper Gary Bennett, who has joined Darlington.

York City fans are reminded that the last date for season tickets to be bought at reduced prices for the 1998-99 term is July 14.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.