‘I want to play and win for this club’ - Dan Parslow

One of new boss Russ Wilcox's first actions following his opening match against Shrewsbury was to recall the 29-year-old Welshman from his loan spell at Conference outfit Grimsby.

Parslow played seven games in a month for the Mariners and is now hoping to add to the 316 outings he has enjoyed since his arrival at Bootham Crescent from Cardiff in August 2006.

That tally places him 18th in the club's all-time appearances list - one match and one position behind current team-mate Michael Ingham - with the two-time Press Player of the Year now keen to resurrect his Football League career following the cruciate knee ligament injury in his last competitive clash for City - back at Southend last November.

Explaining his decision to swap regular first-team football at Blundell Park for a fight to get back in the Minstermen's team, Parslow said: "When I came back this week, I reiterated to the gaffer that I am a York player who wants to play and win games for this football club. That's what I've done for many years and that's what I want to continue doing.

"Grimsby wanted to keep me and I enjoyed my time there, but you want to play at the highest possible level and, if I can play games in League Two, I'd rather do that. The only reason I went out on loan was to get match sharpness, which I have done.

"I was never told I was surplus to requirements. It was purely to prove my knee was OK.

"The gaffer understands that and has told me I will get the same opportunities as everybody else at the club and I am happy to knuckle down, work hard, wait for my chance and then grab it with both hands."

But Parslow does remain grateful to Grimsby for his loan chance, adding: "I've only played professional football for York, so it was very strange but, after being out for such a long time, it was great to be out on a pitch again and get that buzz of playing for something that matters.

"The month went pretty quickly and there was lots of football to get my teeth stuck into. It was a perfect fit for me really to get my match fitness and the knee feels great."

Grimsby chief Paul Hurst took full advantage of Parslow's reputation as a utility man and the latter is happy to be as flexible under Wilcox.

"I played four games at right back for Grimsby, one at centre half and two in midfield," Parslow revealed. "The gaffer there had a few problems with suspensions and other issues and I'm always happy to do a job for the team wherever needed.

"For a fitness purpose, it was great not playing at centre half sometimes, because you do a bit more running at right back and in midfield. The gaffer here also knows I am versatile.

"I think he knows my best position is centre half but, if push comes to shove, as I have proved over many years before, I can play right back and centre midfield if needed and will always do my best. That gives the manager options and I won't shy away from doing it."

Parslow has also declared himself impressed with the early days of ex-Scunthorpe chief Wilcox's reign, pointing out: "He has new ideas and there were promising signs at Morecambe, where the performance was very encouraging and the best we have played for a long, long time.

"We looked a lot more comfortable on the ball and a lot of the players were more confident. Hopefully, we can take that into the next few games and shoot up the league."

The loyal City servant praised Wilcox's predecessor Nigel Worthington, meanwhile, for his part in staving off relegation in 2013 and reaching the play-offs 12 months later.

Parslow said: "He was a very honourable, well-respected and proud man and, while I haven't been able to talk to him yet and we have only exchanged texts, it seemed he felt he had taken the club as far as he could and I believe he left it in a stronger position than when he first came in."

His stint in North Lincolnshire also saw Parslow team up with ex-Bootham Crescent team-mates Paddy McLaughlin, Chris Doig, Craig Clay and Scott Brown.

On their current fortunes, he said: "Craig, Paddy and Scott are all good footballers who are playing really well. Chris has taken a bit more of a back seat as assistant manager and you could see he had the ambitions and capabilities to do that role while he was here.

"It was a bit strange seeing him in staff kit but he's enjoying it and he put on some good sessions."

Parslow's reunion with another former Minsterman was not as pleasurable, though, with Richard Brodie scoring the only goal during his sole defeat as a Grimsby player against Southport.

On that experience, Parslow recalled: "He was getting stick, as he tends to wherever he goes, but he scored a good goal, so he's still doing what he does best."

• FEMI Ilesanmi has shot to the top of The Press Player of the Year and Month standings.

The 23-year-old left back has taken a one-point lead over Keith Lowe, John McCombe and Russell Penn in the Player of the Year contest and is two clear of Lewis Montrose in the October competition.

Ilesanmi picked up two points towards both awards as our second-highest rated player during Tuesday night's 1-1 draw at Morecambe.

He also received a further point having been The Press' third-highest rated performer in last weekend's 1-0 home defeat to Shrewsbury.

The ex-Dagenham defender topped the on-line Morecambe man-of-the-match poll, too, to collect the two Player of the Month bonus points on offer for that accolade.

The Press' man-of-the-match Lowe (three) and Michael Coulson (one) were also recognised with points following their efforts at the Globe Arena.

Against Shrewsbury, our man-of-the-match Michael Ingham (three points) and second-highest rated player Montrose (two) were rewarded as well, with the latter topping the on-line vote to stay on the tails of Ilesanmi in the Player of the Month race.

To be in with a chance of presenting The Press Player of the Month for October with a framed photograph at Bootham Crescent, vote for your man of the match from today’s home game against Mansfield.

The Press Player of the Year standings: Ilesanmi 11, Lowe 10, McCombe 10, Penn 10, McCoy 9, Coulson 8, Ingham 8, Straker 7, Summerfield 6, Montrose 5, Fletcher 3, Jarvis 3, De Girolamo 2, Hyde 2, Winfield 2.

The Press Player of the Month for October standings: Ilesanmi 9, Montrose 7, De Girolamo 4, Ingham 3, Lowe 3, McCoy 3, Brunt 1, Coulson 1, Penn 1.

Goals: Fletcher 3, Coulson 2, Hyde 2, Lowe 2, De Girolamo 1, Penn 1, Winfield 1.

Assists: McCoy 3, Meikle 3, Coulson 2, Hyde 1, Lowe 1, Straker 1, Summerfield 1.

Bad boys: Penn three yellow, one red; Hyde, Montrose two yellow; Jarvis one red; Coulson, Ilesanmi, Lowe, McCombe, McCoy, Platt, Straker all one yellow.