CEDRIC MAIN'S permanent York City departure was a 'good deal for the football club', with manager Neal Ardley accepting the striker's request to leave the club last week. 

Main's exit to Darlington in the Vanarama National League North was announced on Friday with the striker failing to make a professional appearance for York since joining in the Summer, despite impressing in a half-season loan spell at Blyth Spartans. 

Ardley explained the decision behind Main's quick departure since returning to the club from his loan, with the City boss also revealing that the club received more money from Main's departure than they did when purchasing Will Davies from Braintree Town.

“Cedric came back and he needed to get fitter, we pushed him to get fitter, and the other day he came and saw me and said he needed to go.

"Some players are three weeks in to January and he had had enough of waiting around, he wanted to play.

"He’s 26 so you have to respect that and we had an offer, two or three teams offered good money, more money than we paid for Will Davies.

"In the end, with three or four months left on his deal, I think it’s a good deal for the football club."

Main made his Darlington debut on Saturday in the Quakers' 2-0 victory over Hereford at Blackwell Meadows, with the striker claiming an assist for Ben Liddle's 26th minute opener. 

Speaking to the club media team after the match, Main said: "The deal was done yesterday (Friday), I've come in and known Toby Lees, that's it basically. 

"In football when you know how to play, you get comfortable with the players very quickly. 

"If you've got good players around you then it will happen very quickly. 

"The winning feeling is the main thing right now, just to get the confidence back, winning gives you confidence and we will fight and do our best to get out of the relegation zone."