CHESTERFIELD manager Danny Wilson has confirmed that striker Rai Simons snubbed an opportunity to move on loan to York City.

The Press revealed on Wednesday that York manager Gary Mills was weighing up a move for the Bermuda international but Wilson said: "There were plans to send him but he refused to go!

"York wanted to take him but he wanted to see what happens in January. He didn’t want to go and that’s disappointing from my point of view.”

Bermuda international Simons, 20, has started only six games for the League One side since leaving Northern Premier League club Ilkeston Town two summers ago.

Former manager Jackie McNamara admitted that the signing of a striker was 'imperative' immediately prior to taking up his new position as York's chief executive.

Mills has spent this week assessing his squad and was disappointed by the team's display in Monday night's FA Cup defeat against part-timers Curzon Ashton.

Simons caught the eye when playing for Chesterfield's reserves against York last month. He is six feet tall and has played in World Cup qualifiers for Bermuda.

He moved to England five years ago, attended school in Stoke, and signed for Newcastle Town after a trial spell at West Ham United.

York's under-18 team, meanwhile, scored nine goals and kept a fourth consecutive clean sheet against Barton Town Old Boys to secure a place in the first round proper of the FA Youth Cup this week.

Flynn McNaughton, Alex Bruton and Noah Jackson all scored twice and there were further goals for Aaron Haswell, Charlie Wardle, and Zac Lawrence in the 9-0 victory. 

Under-18 manager Steve Torpey said: "The attitude was spot on from the first whistle. I am not being disrespectful but it could have been a fair few more!"

Looking ahead to the draw for the next round, Torpey added: "The so-called bigger teams start coming in and it will be a big advantage if we get drawn at home. That will be good for the fans and good experience for the guys to play on their home ground."