FEW other footballers, if any, can name a former England manager and an ex-Harrogate Town boss as two of the key influences on their career.

But York City's summer signing Clayton Donaldson believes two men who have operated at opposite ends of the football spectrum have helped shape his development in the game.

Hull City boss Peter Taylor, who took charge of the national team for one match against France following the resignation of Kevin Keegan, and John Reed, who left Harrogate Town to save Stalybridge Celtic from Conference North relegation last season, may appear poles apart but the 21-year-old striker is grateful to both men.

Taylor, now enjoying a second spell as coach of the England under-21 team, gave Donaldson his first professional contract at the KC Stadium two years ago following a successful loan spell at the considerably less salubrious Wetherby Road under Reed.

He said: "I learned a lot from Peter Taylor and his training methods. He taught me a lot about how to play up front and on the wing. I have a lot of respect for him and I believe Hull will continue to do well under him next season.

"He kept in touch with me over the summer to tell me about a couple of clubs that were interested in taking me on and probably gave me a recommendation as well, which was nice of him.

"I also enjoyed my time under John Reed. I went there twice and he's a good manager.

"He helped me two years ago when he gave me my chance, I did well and I got my contract from Peter Taylor when I came back. The second time I was lucky enough to win the Conference North Player of the Month for October after scoring a few goals so that also helped bring me to people's attention as well and I thank John and the club for that."

Donaldson is now hoping that Billy McEwan can continue his footballing education and his first impressions of his latest manager are also favourable.

Like his new striker, McEwan is more accustomed to working in the Football League and both men share the same goal of securing City's place back in the elite 92-club as soon as possible.

Donaldson said: "I met Billy about five times in the off-season before signing and liked what I heard about his ambitions for the club.

"He wants to bring the club back into the League as soon as he can.

"Obviously, I want to get back in the League as well and, while it might take a year or two, I think we can at least aim to do a lot better than York City did last season.

"The manager's got good plans and I would not have come otherwise.

"I would not want the club to be just settling for a mid-table existence."