Utility ace Gary Himsworth bade farewell to York City's relegation fight to enter a promotion push at basement club Darlington. Himsworth travelled north today to rejoin the club he spent three years with before returning to Bootham Crescent in 1996. He has agreed a contract that could give him at least three more seasons in the game and on 'better terms' than he was on at York.

Now the 29-year-old Himsworth's big hope was he will come up against City next season in Division Two.

Fired by the prospect of joining Darlington's tilt at the promotion play-offs Himsworth remained confident the Minstermen would pull clear from the Second Division drop zone.

"Darlington have got 15 games left and it's been worked out that if we win at least eight and draw a few then we could still make the play-offs," enthused Himsworth.

"I think City are just one win away from turning it round again. And the work being done by the gaffer, Neil Thompson and Adie Shaw will mean they should get out of trouble.

"I would much rather we were playing City next season because we've won promotion than because City have come down."

Himsworth, whose last game in the red shirt was in Saturday's drubbing by leaders Fulham, has starred for the Minstermen in at least four different roles recently since being restored to the first-team.

But tracked by both Darlington, whose manager David Hodgson is an admirer, and another Third Division club, Hartlepool, he could not turn down the move north.

Explained Himsworth: "Darlington have offered me two years after this season, and if I play enough games over that time, then I will get another year after that.

"In effect that's three years and I am on better money than what I was on at York so I could not ask for more.

"York have not offered me anything and, as I am on the list, I can't wait until the end of the season and end up in limbo."

Himsworth thanked the fans at City, who had accepted him in his second spell as a Minsterman, and added a tribute to manager Alan Little. "The gaffer has been spot on with me. It took a lot of 'bottle' to bring me back to York, though I think I have won the fans over.

"He has kept his word in giving me a free and he has been totally honest with me. I just hope everything goes well with him and the rest of the lads."

City boss Little confirmed the deal adding: "I gave my word to Gary he would go on a free after we had agreed that last October. The best thing is that he has got three more years in the game."

Little confirmed it was 'unlikely' Himsworth would have got a two-year contract at City based on appearances over the last two seasons being limited by injury.

Said Little: "He is leaving on friendly terms. He has been a good player for us.

"But this is the right deal for him and the club when I look at my squad and see players like Martin Garratt, Alan Pouton, Wayne Hall and Neil Thompson, who all play down the left side."

Himsworth's move increases the presence of former City players at Feethams to four. Also on the Quakers' payroll are defender Steve Tutill, midfielder Glenn Naylor, and current top scorer Marco Gabbiadini.

Meanwhile, City's youth team will play West Ham in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup after the Hammers walloped Walsall 4-1 last night. The tie at Bootham Crescent has been provisionally pencilled in for March 16.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.