MANAGER Nigel Worthington’s star status persuaded York City’s new recruits to rapidly commit to two-year deals with the Minstermen.

Striker Ryan Jarvis and midfielder Craig Clay became the first signings of Worthington’s reign as he prepares for his debut full season.

Welcoming the duo to Bootham Crescent, the City boss said he was delighted to have them both on board, but the most effusive comments poured from Jarvis and Clay who disclosed how the manager’s standing in the game convinced them to join City’s new era.

Said the 26-year-old Jarvis, who was given his full professional debut by then Norwich boss Worthington at the age of just 16 years and 282 days in 2003: “The gaffer has such a good pedigree in the game. He has managed his own country, managed teams in the Premiership and the Championship. He has done it all.

“As soon as I spoke to him I knew I wanted to come to York. I know what he is about and how he wants to play.”

Added the England under-19 international, who could have stayed at fellow npower League Two outfit Torquay United, where he has played for the last 18 months: “I will always be grateful to him for giving me my debut as a professional when I was a teenager at Norwich, but I have joined him here at York purely for footballing reasons.

“The whole move has given me a buzz and I can’t wait to get started playing for York City.”

Powerhouse midfielder Clay, who has just turned 21, revealed how his move from the Spireites to City was conducted in less than a couple of hours.

“I first heard from my agent on Thursday morning and the deal was done soon after,” said the Nottingham-born player, who featured in 23 games for Chesterfield last season, including a substitute’s appearance in the 2-2 draw at Bootham Crescent.

“I talked with the manager and was delighted by what he said about how he thought I could fit into his plans,” said the midfielder.

“I was very impressed by the plans he has for the club, how he wants to take it forward.

“As a manager he has done the lot and I am really pleased to be a part of what he wants to achieve.”

The City manager, who, in the wake of guiding the Minstermen from the potentially fatal peril of relegation last month said he was looking to sign five to six players, hailed the arrival of the duo.

Of front-man Jarvis he said: “I know the lad so well from my time at Norwich where I gave him his senior debut. He will be a very good addition to this club.”

Worthington praised the qualities of the striker, who has also featured on loan spells at Colchester, Leyton Orient, Kilmarnock and Notts County before moves to Walsall and latterly Torquay.

Recalling a “fantastic” strike Jarvis hit in City’s March defeat at Torquay, the City boss quipped that he “hasn’t yet given me an explanation about that”, before adding: “He can score goals and can play in the wide areas.

“He’s a good character and is the type of player I am looking to bring in here. He is a very good League Two player and I’d also say a League One player. I have great faith in his ability.”

Worthington envisaged midfielder Clay providing the same sort of energy in the heart of the team as displayed by both York-born Tom Platt and loanee Adam Reed in City’s glorious turn of form to escape the drop.

Said the City boss: “I’d seen him play a few times and had good reports about him. He’s a raw talent who we’ll need to fine-tune. But he is another great character and I’m looking to him to emulate the energy and enthusiasm that we got from Platt and Reed, who were sensational for me.”