MIDFIELDER Theo Wharton wants to emulate new team-mate Dan Parslow by playing more than 400 professional appearances after being deemed surplus to requirements at Cardiff.

The path from South Wales to Bootham Crescent has not been well-trodden over the years, but Wharton now has first-hand evidence of what can be achieved after leaving the capital city.

Parslow’s chances at Cardiff had been limited to reserve outings before he first made the switch to North Yorkshire at the age of 20 more than a decade ago.

Cwmbran-born Wharton did manage two substitute appearances for the Bluebirds, but the last came in 2013 and, like his fellow former Wales under-21 international Parslow, who has made more than 400 first-team appearances including 339 during two spells with the Minstermen, he is now determined to establish himself at senior level.

“I didn’t know he (Parslow) was from Cardiff until he spoke to me the other day, but he’s obviously done really well over his career and he’s a great guy and good player, who is an example for me,” said Wharton, who played the second half of City's 3-1 friendly victory at Grantham Town on Saturday.

“He shows that what I’m trying to achieve can be done and, sometimes, you have to go down to go up again, so I’m looking to bounce back.

“I’ve only really had dribs and drabs at Cardiff after making my debut at 17 and that’s been tough. I’ve never really broken through – maybe I should have done and maybe I shouldn’t have, but there were also a lot of managerial changes and I’m happy to be where I am now.

“The club just seemed the right fit. I really like the city and the fans have already been brilliant to me with a lot of support on social media.

“Going down the divisions didn’t really bother me, because this is obviously a great club that is full-time and does everything properly. They shouldn’t be in National League North and the target now is to get promotion.”

Parslow is not the only former Cardiff player that Wharton will be sharing a dressing room with in 2017/18.

Veteran forward Jon Parkin also spent the second half of the 2011/12 campaign with the Championship outfit.

Wharton recalls that period and is looking forward to learning from the Barnsley-born behemoth again.

“I was a youth-team player and probably played with him a couple of times, so I remember him, but I don’t think he’ll remember me, because I was a lot younger and he’s played a lot of games since then,” the 22-year-old midfielder pointed out. “But it will be a pleasure to play with him again, because he’s played at a high level and he’s a good guy off the pitch as well.

“He’s somebody I can look up to and he knows his stuff, because he’s been in the game for so long and you have to take his advice when he gives it.”

The 5ft 10in playmaker ended last term on loan at National League South Weston-super-Mare and reckons that stint will serve him well as he prepares to ply his trade in that division’s northern equivalent.

“York are a lot bigger club than Weston-Super-Mare, but it was the same level and I enjoyed my time there,” he reasoned “It was only a short spell of four games, but I got a rough idea about what it’s all about and, now I’m at this standard, I can adapt a bit quicker that I would have been able to if I hadn’t played those games.

“A lot of people say the development system isn’t working and, having been in it at Cardiff, I can see why they say that. I was in it for way too long to be honest and, if I had my time again, I would go out on loan a lot earlier and that’s what I’d advise younger players, because you can just waste your time in development football.

“It’s good for a short space of time but, sometimes, you outgrow it and you need that exposure of playing men’s football, because there’s a massive difference.”

Outlining his individual and team targets for the campaign ahead, meanwhile, Wharton added: “I want to play as many games as I can and, maybe, get a few goals, but it’s more about the team.

“I’m not selfish and I want the club to do well, more than myself. We all know the objective is to get promoted and, even though it will be tough, I think we can achieve that with hard work every week.”

Wharton also hopes to add to the full international caps he has won for St Kitts & Nevis, having switched allegiances from Wales, who he represented at U17, 19 and 21 level.

Explaining that choice, he said: “The manager of St Kitts had been speaking to me for a long time and it came to a point where I thought ‘why not do something different?’ I’m really happy now that I made that decision as I’m really enjoying it.

“We played against Armenia and Georgia last month and it was brilliant to play in Europe against those teams. There are no games coming up, though, because we haven’t qualified for certain tournaments.”