York City have turned to York power to reinforce their attack.

Manager Alan Little has signed Grimsby Town striker Neil Woods, born in York and whose father Alan starred for the Minstermen during the 1960s.

The 31-year-old Woods signed a two-year deal today - subject to a medical - with his home-city club to the absolute delight of Little.

Enthused the City manager, who just 24 hours earlier had lost out on former Crystal Palace and Stockport marksman Andy Preece: "I am extremely happy to have Neil on board.

"He is by no means my second-choice after losing Preece. He was among a list of targets I had drawn up and I am glad to have signed him."

In a career spanning 15 years the 6ft tall Woods has maintained a healthy one in four strike rate at the top level of the English game. He also included a spell with Glasgow Rangers.

Woods' experience as a shrewd front-line operator will prove invaluable to City's current forward trio of Rodney Rowe, Neil Tolson and Richard Cresswell, insisted the City manager.

"He is a quality footballer and a striker who is a big, hard-working fella. He has a sound footballing brain and when the ball is played up to him it sticks, so enabling him to bring team-mates into play.

"He comes from York originally and he has said the way we play will help him to get back on the goal trail again.,"

Ironically as a schoolboy Woods was on City's books, but he slipped the net to be snapped up by Doncaster Rovers. He began his apprenticeship there at the same time that Little was a senior midfielder.

When he eventually broke into the senior side Little had gone. Woods notched 16 goals in 65 League games for Rovers in three seasons to catch the eye of then Rangers' supremo Graeme Souness, who signed him for £120,000.

But Woods spent just a season in Scotland making three appearances for the 'Gers until leaving for Ipswich Town in another £120,000 deal. After two seasons at Portman Road, where he played in the same side as new City player-coach Neil Thompson, Woods had a brief stay at Bradford City before joining Grimsby Town in 1990 for £82,000.

Woods' striking powers came to the forefront at Blundell Park. More than 60 goals were hit in some 300 League and cup appearances during Grimsby's best Division One days.

However after a spell out injured he spent most of last season down the pecking order as Grimsby clinched promotion from Division Two.

Woods' dad, Alan, was a classy midfielder at Bootham Crescent between 1960-66 making 259 senior appearances and missing just 21 matches in five seasons.

Teams wishing to test their brain power can still take part in the quiz night at City's social club as part of testimonial beneficiary Andy McMillan. The sports quiz open to teams of four will be held on Tuesday at 7.30pm.

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