YORK City's Press Player of the Year David McGurk has been offered a new one-year contract at Darlington.

McGurk, who also scooped the Minstermen's players' player prize at the end of last season, has received interest from other Football League clubs as well having returned to Darlington despite playing 39 games on loan at KitKat Crescent in 2005/2006.

Having received the written offer through the post, the 23-year-old defender is now requesting a meeting with Quakers boss David Hodgson to determine whether he will be afforded regular first-team football at the Williamson Motors Stadium next season or, if not, whether the North-East club would be seeking a compensation fee from any interested parties should he want to move on.

McGurk has expressed a preference to play in the Football League next season but also added that he has not ruled out a return to City at this stage.

He said: "I was very surprised to get the offer and I first heard when one of the other lads who had been released rang me. Then I got a letter the next day.

"I haven't spoken to David Hodgson yet but I need to do as soon as I can.

"If I was to stay at Darlington, I would need assurances that I was going to play more of a part next season. He could also ask for compensation now and, if I want to go, I need to know whether he would let me leave for free and not stand in my way.

"I've been offered one year on similar money at Darlington and was looking for more and I've had better offers as well. There's a few other clubs interested - a couple in the League - and York will probably be interested as well.

"My preference is to stay in the League but I enjoyed it at York last season and I'm not closing the door on a return but I will have to speak to the manager (Billy McEwan). Any decision would not just be about money - it would be about enjoying my football and playing on a regular basis."

Another former on-loan City player - midfielder Jonjo Dickman - has been released by Darlington, along with Matty Appleby, Adrian Webster, Guy Bates and Joe Kendrick.

City boss McEwan recruited midfielders Mark Convery and Stephen Thomas after they were deemed surplus to requirements by Darlington last season.

Updated: 10:33 Friday, May 19, 2006