Dismayed winger Paul Stephenson hit back at claims he wanted away from York City after sealing a move to Third Division Hartlepool United.

Stephenson's near three-season patrol at City ended when he agreed a two-year contract taking him into the Millennium with the basement club. He told the Evening Press however, he had no option but to head back north because there was no offer of a new deal at Bootham Crescent.

With the wideman out of contract in summer he said he had to consider his wife and two children, claiming he was given no choice about his future at City.

Declared Stephenson: "I am a bit shocked that the manager said I 'wanted to go to Hartlepool.'

"Don't get me wrong. I want to go to Hartlepool because they have come in with a good offer and showed confidence in me by saying they want me there.

"I wasn't given any choice about whether I had a future at York City. I had no future there. There was nothing on the table for me."

Stephenson, who since arriving from Brentford in a £25,000 move in the summer of 1995 made 107 appearances for the Minstermen scoring nine goals, believed his days at the club were numbered once he was transfer-listed early in the current season.

"I was put on the list by the club. I never asked to go on the list. I have enjoyed playing here. I always felt I had a good relationship with the fans and I thank them, they were good to me.

"Now I don't like the picture that's been painted that I wanted to just get out the door," added the 30-year-old winger, who began his career 13 years ago with his native Newcastle United.

"To me the club made it pretty clear they wanted me out the door by not offering anything all season. It was spelt out without the club actually saying anything."

His departure had left a sour note with the winger, who said he had largely enjoyed his time at Bootham Crescent venturing that this past season had been his best yet in City colours.

"Without a doubt it's been my most consistent spell since I joined the club. The first two years I never really got going. I felt I was always fighting to get fully fit after suffering serious injuries.

"But this season the longest I was out was the two weeks after I had stitches in a leg wound at Southport.

"I've enjoyed being at York. It's a lovely city and both me and my wife have loved it here. To say I wanted to get away was wrong."

Stephenson, whose knee injury rules him out of 'Pool's trip to Rochdale tomorrow and who is unavailable for their next fixture as he is suspended for one match, said he may be back at Bootham Crescent next term in Hartlepool colours.

"There's still a chance Hartlepool could get into the play-offs. I think York were not too far away. With a decent rub of the green the club could have been in the top four by now, but now I'm looking forward to playing for Hartlepool and maybe I might be back next season. I've also got a good record against former clubs," he quipped.

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