RETIRING striker Richard Cresswell believes the careers of himself and best pal Jonathan Greening can act as inspiration for any York City scholar.

Cresswell and Greening both started out as schoolboys with the Minstermen before going on to earn England under-21 honours, command million pound transfer fees and ply their trade in the Premier League.

The Bridlington-born forward is now hoping future generations at Bootham Crescent can follow his lead by working tirelessly to chase the dream he has lived.

He said: “Me and Jonno are still best buddies and still live in the city. It was fantastic to play with him for England Under-21s after we had both come through the youth ranks at York and we used to dream about what careers we could have when we were sat in our digs around the corner from the club.

“What’s happened to both of us is what dreams are made of but, don’t get me wrong, it’s not been an easy road. There has been a lot of hard work and I have dedicated my life to doing what I do.

“A lot of people come up to you and tell you they could have made it but you need the full package as a footballer and that means dedication throughout your life.

“Sometimes you get what you deserve in life and I would like to think that’s what happened to me.

“I wanted to be the best that I could be and I achieved that through sheer hard work.

“Me and Jonno knew what we were and what could happen if we worked tirelessly hard.

“We used to go in the gym after training and in the evening to just practise with the ball for hours trying to make ourselves better.

“I don’t really see that now. The kids today seem to just switch off from football after training.”

Cresswell added, however, he feels, with the right attitude, City’s current forward fledglings, Wes Fletcher and Ryan Bowman have the ability to emulate him, by progressing through the divisions and even challenging the £950,000 club transfer record City received for his services from Sheffield Wednesday back in 1999.

“They’ve both done really well this season, scoring goals and looking bright, along with Ryan Jarvis, who has got a number of goals,” said Cresswell. “Their futures look bright.

“They’ve still got a lot to learn but they still want to develop and progress, which is the most important thing. If they keep that work ethic and listen to the staff, they have both got the talent to progress and, who knows, maybe one day they can bring a million pound into the club and take that tag away from me.”

Despite City currently lying fourth-bottom in League Two and just two points above the relegation zone, Cresswell is also backing manager Nigel Worthington to move the club up the standings during the second half of the season, saying: “League Two is tough and football is all about confidence so the club need to get two or three wins on the bounce.

“I am sure the gaffer can produce that. He knows what he wants and, hopefully, it will all come together and work for him.

“He is very organised and the lads respond to him.”