YORK City have appointed Martin Gray as their new manager following a recommendation from ex-England boss Steve McClaren.

Gray was unveiled as the successor to Gary Mills at Bootham Crescent today shortly after handing in his resignation at National League North rivals Darlington, who he has led to three promotions since taking charge in 2012.

His achievements during that time have caught the eye of York-born, former Nunthorpe School pupil McClaren, who pressed his claims as a future City chief to club chairman and owner Jason McGill.

The Stockton-born, 46-year-old is joined at Bootham Crescent by former Doncaster Rovers chief Dave Penney, who will fill a new sporting director role in a shake-up of City’s football operations.

Gray previously worked under Penney when he was manager at both Darlington and Oldham, while the latter helped Guiseley avoid relegation from the National League at the expense of the Minstermen last term when he was assistant manager to Adam Lockwood at the Leeds club – a post he left in August.

Explaining the appointment and revised structure at the club, McGill said: “We need a new approach at the football club.

“We need to work hard, entertain our supporters, be professional and, most importantly, win games. In Martin Gray, we have identified a manager who has consistently achieved impressive results without the benefit of the resources and infrastructure that he will have at his disposal here.

“Before appointing Martin, we spoke to a number of leading figures in the game who have the best interests of York City at heart. One of those was Steve McClaren who felt York City should give serious consideration to appointing Martin Gray - if and when they were ever looking for a new manager.

“After speaking to Martin, I was immediately impressed with his views on football management. He is ambitious and talented and I feel he deserves an opportunity at a full-time club that has serious ambitions to return to the Football League.”

On Penney’s appointment as sporting director, McGill said: “Dave is someone with an abundance of experience at various levels of the game, who understands scouting and recruitment, and who has excellent contacts in the game. He will be responsible for the overall performance of the various sporting departments at the football club.

“For clarity, I can confirm that the sporting director will not pick the team. He will assist, but not lead training or determine tactics. “The manager will also have the final say on all signings.”

Penney’s role will involve development of the club’s ‘footballing identity’, improving the scouting network and ensuring high standards are maintained throughout the club.

“His extensive knowledge of the football industry will be a major asset," McGill added. “I am also confident that this new structure will make the club stronger going forward.”

Gray missed out on the chance of a fourth promotion with the Quakers last term when they were prevented from taking part in the National League North play-offs, due to their ground not having the required number of seats to move up a level.

Former Derby County midfielder Penney, 53, steered Doncaster back into the Football League in 2003 before winning the League Two title a year later.

He has also managed Bristol Rovers in the past and worked as assistant to Phil Brown at Southend United.

The Press understand that former City favourite Jon McCarthy, who steered National League Chester to safety on a £330,000 wage bill last term before being relieved of his duties a month ago, would have been interested in the Bootham Crescent vacancy, along with ex-Whitby Town chief Darren Williams.