NEW recruit Richard Hope spurned overtures from Division Three rivals Darlington and Oxford United to join York City's red revolution, the Evening Press can reveal.

The 25-year-old finally put pen to paper on a one-month deal and was been drafted straight into today's City squad for the opening trip to Carlisle.

The 6ft 3ins defender, who impressed in his one pre-season outing for City against Livingston, had also been training with Second Division Hartlepool.

But it was some instant recognition and the prospect of a bright new dawn that persuaded Hope to join City.

"I just can't wait to get playing," he told the Evening Press.

"I had talks with Darlington and turned them down a few weeks ago.

"Since then I've been at Hartlepool and had talks with Oxford over the weekend, but when I came into the changing-room when we played Livingston I recognised a lot of the players, name-wise.

"If you can go into a changing room and recognise players and know them by name then that is important and shows there is quality here.

"There are a lot of good young lads here as well and I think we have a good chance of making the play-offs."

Hope, who could make his official home debut for City against his former club, Northampton, a week on Saturday, described the atmosphere at Bootham Crescent as 'brilliant'.

"The lads are all down to earth and are working hard.

"Some of the stuff we have been playing is brilliant too," said Hope, who began his career with Blackburn Rovers before moving to Darlington and then to the Sixfields Stadium.

"The gaffer is only young but that means nothing.

"He obviously knows what he's doing and is determined to take the lads forward."

Updated: 09:35 Saturday, August 09, 2003