GOALKEEPER Adam Bartlett has turned down a new deal at York City and is poised to play part-time football in the Northern League.

Aside from the final five games of last season, when he made way for teenage hopeful Ryan Whitley, Bartlett had been an ever-present between the Minstermen sticks since arriving from Darlington in November 2017, racking up 70 consecutive appearances.

But, at 33, the former England C international has decided to take on a sales job with sports kit manufacturers Core 37, while playing football more local to his north-east home.

Explaining the decision, Bartlett told The Press: “I was made an offer and I’ve met with (City assistant-manager) Micky Cummins twice since the end of the season but, at my age, I felt that I don’t want to be in the position every April where I’m chasing a full-time deal in football. I’ve had an offer to take on a job with a friend’s business, which I started last week, and, I think, me moving on will represent the best for both parties.

“It gives the chance for York to perhaps look for somebody younger on top of Ryan to push him and give the club 110 per cent. I’m now looking at playing at a part-time level on my doorstep.

“I’ve got family commitments and it has come to the point where I don’t want to be travelling across the north region to play at weekends on top of training during the week.”

Bartlett’s decision leaves the Minstermen currently without a keeper on their books for 2019/20, although 19-year-old, ex-Manchester City trialist Whitley has been offered new terms for next season.

The Minstermen are waiting on answers from Whitley and fellow out-of-contract duo Scott Burgess and striker Macaulay Langstaff, who were also included on manager Steve Watson’s end-of-season retained list.