NEW signing Scott Fenwick has vowed to put York City 'on the road' to the English Football League.

Released by Newcastle United as a teenager, Fenwick qualified as a civil engineer and helped improve the state of the A1 before returning to the professional game.

Now 26, the striker's next big project is going to be played out on grass rather than tarmac, with no unnecessary delays.

Speaking to The Press after signing a one-year deal at Bootham Crescent, Fenwick said: "I have come here to try and be the man whose goals put this club back in the League.

"I am a confident lad and I always believe that, if I am playing through the middle and the chances are created, I will normally be there to put the ball away.

"This club is going to be one of the big ones in the National League this season and there's no reason why a club this size can't go straight back up.

"I have come here to have a full season with York. I am looking to stay in the top five all year and chase the title. That is the main ambition."

A prolific marksman in non-League football with Newcastle Benfield, Durham City and Dunston UTS, Fenwick scored 12 goals in 27 starts for Hartlepool United in the last two seasons.

Yet prior to joining Pools, he had drifted out of the game and obtained a degree in civil engineering.

"I am fully qualified and it is, potentially, something that I will go back into later on in life," admitted Fenwick.

"It's quite an interesting job and people don't appreciate the things that we take for granted – like roads, bridges and pathways.

"Well, I did that for five years and I worked on the A1 for two and half years, doing consultations, bridge and road design and drainage.

"I enjoyed it – but it's not as good as the lifestyle I have got now."

Gateshead-born Fenwick has rejected interest from League One outfit Shrewsbury Town to sign for the Minstermen because he wants to stay in the north of England.

He also had an opportunity to return to Scottish football, where he had previously played for Gretna.

"There was interest from Scotland and I played a game for Shrewsbury last week. That was another option," he said.

"But location played a massive part in my decision. I had offers to stay in the League but it was going to be a long way from home. This is a beautiful city and a nice place to live.

"My family follow me everywhere so when I told my mam, dad, aunty and my brothers that York were involved, they were all pressing me to come."

Describing the qualities he plans to bring to York's promotion push, Fenwick said: "I always work hard and I am an old-fashioned poaching striker.

"I do most of my work in the box – grafting, making tackles, winding defenders up – and I know where to put the ball in the net."

After helping Hartlepool to escape the drop two seasons ago, Fenwick had grown frustrated and was often employed wide on the left last season in a 4-3-3 formation.

"I chipped in with a few goals from that position – but I am predominantly a centre-forward. I like to be the main man scoring goals," he stressed.

"But don't get me wrong. I would rather play wide than be sitting on the bench. I am quite happy to do a job out there and I know I can do it. If I am needed to do that this season, I will."