York City right-back Ben Purkiss admitted the lure of League football proved too strong after signing a two-year contract with Oxford United.

Purkiss, keen to point out his decision to leave City had nothing to do with wanting a bigger wage at Bootham Crescent, revealed he had previously turned down the chance to sign a pre-contract agreement with another League Two outfit in the hope he would be promoted with the Minstermen.

Oxford, who beat City 3-1 in last weekend’s Blue Square Premier final, first approached Purkiss earlier this week and acquired his services despite other interest from Torquay, Burton and Chesterfield.

About his reasons for the move and turning down a new deal with City, Purkiss said: “The ideal scenario would have been winning on Sunday but, in the aftermath, I had a few phone calls and this opportunity came along.

“I would like to think that anybody in the same situation would have done exactly the same because playing in the Football League was a chance I could not turn down. The decision has nothing to do with wanting more money at York.

“It’s about wanting to play at the highest level possible. I spoke to one League Two club before the play-offs started and they offered me a pre-contract agreement which I turned down because my aim was to get York City back where they belong.

“A couple of other League Two clubs also rang up this week but I feel Oxford are a club with massive potential and it’s the right move for me at this stage in my career.”

The 26-year-old defender added there was very little City could have done to persuade him to stay once he was aware of Oxford’s interest but he might have committed his future to the club if terms could have been agreed before the end of the campaign.

He said: “If we had sat down earlier in the season and talked things through then maybe I would have signed a new contract and this opportunity would not have arisen. We did talk but I wasn’t in the team at the time and things were different.”

Purkiss did, however, express his appreciation for the club’s role in handing him a chance to play professional football following his arrival from Gainsborough Trinity in 2007, saying: “I am massively grateful for the chance York gave me.

“I have said my goodbyes and thanked all the people who have helped me in my career. I’d also like to say how grateful I am to the fans for their support during my time at the club.”

He went on to confess that the 2009/10 campaign was his “most enjoyable in football” and hopes the board will continue to back manager Martin Foyle with his plans for the club.

“I’ve enjoyed working under Martin,” Purkiss said.

“He’s passed on his experience and helped improve me as a player.

“Along with Andy Porter, York have a management team who do things the right way.

“The club are more professional now both on and off the pitch and are geared towards getting back into the league.

“Last season was my most enjoyable one in football and all the players the manager brought in contributed massively. The club are in a similar situation to last summer.

“They have to keep their important players and make progress in terms of those they recruit. Martin watches a lot of games and has an eye for a player.

“Hopefully, he can get his targets and the club will be stronger.”

With Purkiss departing, a new right-back will now be one of Foyle’s priorities this summer.

Meanwhile, Sheffield-born Purkiss now faces a battle with Oxford full-back Damien Batt for first-team selection at the Kassam Stadium and is relishing the challenge.

Added the defender: “There are definitely no guarantees in football but I’m not going there to sit on the bench for two years.

“I’m not that kind of person.

“I’ve never played football for money, I just want to play.”

• On the Blue Square Premier transfer front, Luton Town – conquered by City in the play-off semi-finals – have signed Cambridge United striker Danny Crow and Notts County goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington, who started his career at Manchester United.

He was the man in goal when the Minstermen stunned the football world by toppling the Red Devils 3-0 at Old Trafford in the then Coca-Cola Cup in 1995.

Former Morecambe centre-back Chris Blackburn, meanwhile, has joined Wrexham from Aldershot.

John Beck has also been appointed the new manager at Histon.