TOM Allan has rejoined York City as a player, having spent the last year working as a community coach at Bootham Crescent.

The 23-year-old defender has agreed two-year terms with the Minstermen, following three seasons in National League North as a part-time player with Alfreton Town.

Allan first joined City at the age of eight and made his debut ten years later as a substitute for Chris Doig during a 4-1 home win over Bristol Rovers in December 2012.

He went on to make his first start in a crucial 2-0 triumph at Northampton later that season, as he deputised for the injured David McGurk and helped tame powerhouse striker Adebayo Akinfenwa during a match that was vital in the Minstermen’s successful battle against relegation from the Football League under Nigel Worthington.

But, after only adding another six appearances to the five he made during that breakthrough season, he decided to turn down the offer of a new contract in the summer of 2014 to drop down a division and sign for former boss Gary Mills at Gateshead.

He went on to make 22 appearances for the Heed, before joining Alfreton in the summer of 2015.

On Allan’s return as a player, City chief Martin Gray said: “We’ve had a lot of good mentions about him since being at the club and he put in two big performances against us last season. We also had him watched in other matches and he was so keen to come back to the club when I spoke to him at the end of last season.

“He’s signed a two-year deal and has unfinished business here because he made a decision as a young boy that was probably the wrong one, as he’s a York boy who wants to play for the club. He’s got a great left foot but wants to be a centre-half rather than a left back, which gives us nice balance in defence and competition for places.

“He’s 23, so he’s starting to become a man and he’s a good height. He’s also had a couple of seasons at this level so knows what it’s about.”

Allan, who stands 6ft 4in tall, scored nine times in 44 games for Alfreton last term, including a header for the visitors during a 1-1 draw at the end of February.

His potential in the opposition box also makes Allan an attractive recruit for Gray with contracted centre-backs Hamza Bencherif (0 goals in 44 matches) and Dan Parslow (two in 40) struggling to contribute in that respect last season.

“That’s a massive plus,” admitted Gray. “We’ve got to share the goals around the team more so, if he can bring me that kind of number again next season, that could be worth an extra six points.”

Allan will be returning to City as a full-time professional, meaning he gives up his role on the club’s Foundation team, with Gray adding: “He’s done a lot of good work for the club in the community and, although he won’t be doing that job anymore, he’ll still be doing his bit as a player.

“But he’s got the opportunity to go full-time again and is grabbing it with both arms.”