THE Press and York City Players' Player of the Year David McGurk admitted he felt privileged to be selected for the awards ahead of prolific strikers Andy Bishop and Clayton Donaldson.

Bishop, who netted his 25th goal of the season in Saturday's 3-1 defeat against Hereford, was the choice of the Harrogate Minstermen, Malton Minstermen and Junior Reds supporters groups while 18-goal Donaldson won the Billy Fenton Memorial Clubman of the Year and Supporters Club awards.

But McGurk was delighted with his double haul, saying: "The Press is a great one to win and I am also proud to get the players' award - that means a lot to me. It's a really big thing to me to be recognised when the strikers have scored more than 40 goals between them.

"I chose Clayton because he gives us something different. His pace is important for us because you know you can play it over the top and he will run after it. He gives you an outlet."

McGurk will now discuss his future with Darlington boss David Hodgson this week and, after missing out on a top-five place with the Minstermen, could still become involved in a play-off campaign with the Quakers this season.

But the out-of-contract defender has admitted that he would prefer to concentrate on the possibility of leaving League Two outfit Darlington and discussing terms with the Minstermen.

He said: "I will be going back to Darlington but I need to speak to the manager as soon as I can becaue he offered to pay me up earlier in the season so I am wondering whether he does want me back.

"To be honest, I would prefer not to go back and take things from there but, if I do go back, I will be the third-choice centre half and, if they get in the play-offs, I'll be needed."

McGurk, who spent all but two games of the season on loan at KitKat Crescent, added that he felt the start of the campaign could have cost City a play-off place just as much as a run-in during which Billy McEwan's men won only one of their last nine matches.

He said: "We had a good season but it could have been better. I thought the play-offs were in reach but the points we dropped from the late goals we conceded early in the season have cost us."

Other awards at Saturday's match were presented to Darren Hollingsworth (Young Player of the Year) and Chris Porter (Community Player of the Year).

Donaldson was also presented with a bottle of champagne as March's Conference Player of the Month.

Updated: 10:34 Monday, May 01, 2006