ON-LOAN hot-shot Bradley Fewster has admitted York City's relegation from the Football League ended any chance of him returning to Bootham Crescent next season.

Middlesbrough forward Fewster was one of the few success stories during a miserable Minstermen campaign as he scored eight goals in 24 outings following his arrival from the Riverside at the end of November.

But neither the player or his parent club will entertain the prospect of National League football during 2016/17.

The former England under-19 international said: "It's a shame because I've enjoyed my time here and it's only 50 minutes from home, so that was ideal as well, but everyone knows I would like to play League football for my personal development. I've really enjoyed playing first-team football and have got out of my spell what I wanted to get out of it - game time and goals.

"I'm massively disappointed York didn't stay in the league but, to be fair, we haven't been good enough overall. I think we could have stayed up, but nothing went right for us and there were goals that went in at bad times, like Wimbledon's last-minute winner.

"With things like that, you do start thinking maybe it's not meant to be. I'll still look back at my time with fond memories though and I'd like to say a massive thank you to all the fans because they've been great to me.

"I wish the club all the best for next season and the future and hope people will look back and remember me with fondness too."

While City were preparing for their final Football League fixture at Morecambe on Saturday, Boro were securing promotion back to the Premier League after a seven-year absence with a 1-1 lunchtime draw against Brighton.

Fewster received updates on the crucial Championship clash on the team coach and, then, from City kitman and Boro fan David James, who watched the remainder of the game at the Globe Arena after putting out the team's strip.

The 20-year-old marksman is now targeting top-flight exposure with his home-town club next term and added: "I want to congratulate them on getting up.

"I had every faith that they would do and it's great for the club and fans. Now, my main aim is to get into Boro's first team.

"I'm going back with that intention. I think that's realistic, but I don't know whether it will happen or not, because there will be big money now to bring players in.

"As always, I'll just work hard in pre-season and try to score goals, then see where that leads me. If it means another season on loan, that's what I will have to do and I'll see what my options are."

Fewster also revealed that there has been no indication yet of what the future holds for him at the Riverside.

"I've spoken to my under-21s coach a few times but there's not been much else from Boro," he said. "They've just added somebody whose job will be to deal with loan players next season, so there will probably be more contact between the club and the players then.

"I did go back for testing halfway through my loan spell and they said that all was good and told me just to keep going until the end of the season."

Fewster, meanwhile, stressed his regret at being unable to make a goalscoring farewell to City fans after he was substituted midway through the second period having seen his shot cleared off the line by Morecambe's Lee Molyneux in front of the away end.

Summing up his last appearance, Fewster reasoned: "From a striker's point of view, I was disappointed with the game because I was in positions to receive the ball and it was one of those days when it just didn't come. I also wanted to sign off with a goal, but it wasn't to be.

"When the ball came to me for my chance, I caught it sweet, but the lad made an unbelievable block on the line. There's nothing you can do about that, but I was gutted and I was then taken off, which you never want because you just want to take the next chance."