YORK City summer signing Wes York has revealed that he dropped down a division to join a club that matches his ambitions.

York has spent the last six seasons at National League level, taking in two campaigns apiece at Nuneaton, Wrexham and Gateshead.

The 25-year-old attacker could still be plying his trade in the top-tier of non-League football but feels his latest transfer can be a case of taking one step backwards to take two forward.

Having been released by former City boss Gary Mills at Wrexham two years ago and fallen out of favour under Gateshead boss Steve Watson last term, York was also given a boost by Bootham Crescent boss Martin Gray’s pursuit of his services.

“The gaffer said he wanted me and, while stepping down a league is not really what you want, this is such a big club, so it’s really good to be here,” York pointed out. “I could have floated around in the Conference with clubs in mid-table but that doesn’t really get you anywhere.

“You don’t want to be playing somewhere in front of 500 fans. This is a proper club with proper die-hard supporters.

“As a result, expectations are high, but we have to take that on the chin, because everything is done right here, so there really are no excuses. We have a group of lads who can shoot the club up and, then, everything is set up to have a good chance of going up again in the new stadium so, hopefully, something special will happen this season.”

York is one of four players to have arrived from troubled Gateshead since the end of last season, along with Russell Penn, Jordan Burrow and Macaulay Langstaff.

He admits that has helped his bedding-in process and believes the trio will prove sound acquisitions.

“I know how they all play and that helps so much in terms of gelling with everybody, because the communication is already there,” York reasoned. “Russ is a cool, experienced head.

“He knows what is needed and it’s not just about having him as a player. He’s a leader in the dressing room too and you always need one or two of them.

“With Jordan, you know what you’re getting and that’s goals and good work-rate. No defender has ever come off the pitch saying they’ve had an easy game against him.

“He’s a nightmare for them because he will throw himself about, move players around, put his elbows up and get stuck in. Macauley is young and just needs a bit more experience, but his quality on the ball and finishing is unbelievable.

“I think he’s got a bright future and he’s so positive. I’ve never heard him say anything negative, which is always good.”

York has also played alongside City quartet Simon Heslop, Adriano Moke, Sean Newton and Jake Wright and added: “They have the quality to play a bit higher than this division but have obviously seen what I have – the potential of such a big club.”

As a teenager, York was a member of the Nuneaton squad that gained promotion to the Conference, via the play-offs in 2012.

Despite being confident of the outlook for City, though, he is not under-estimating the task ahead.

“There’s a bit of a difference pitch wise between the divisions, but it’s still so competitive and there are no easy rides or way out of the division,” he declared. “But, if you put the effort in, you get your rewards at the end.”

York, meanwhile, aims to beat his strike-rate last term at Gateshead during 2018/19.

Despite not always making the first XI under Watson, he still managed six goals from 18 starts – a one-in-three return that was only beaten by striker Danny Johnson, who has since signed for Scottish Premiership outfit Motherwell.

“I did alright last season goal wise even though I didn’t always play and started a lot of games at right-wing back,” York explained. “One of my main aims now is to beat my ratio from last season, but I don’t care if I don’t score a single goal and we get promoted.”

With Gray having suggested he would like to employ 4-4-2 tactics this term, York looks poised for a wide role on the right, but the new arrival stressed his strengths lie in the final third of the pitch.

“I prefer to play up top keeping defenders busy and I don’t stop moving,” he said. “I like to play as high up the pitch as possible to break the lines and get in behind, so I prefer to play in a three up front.

“But, if we play 4-4-2, I will do a job because I’ve got the work-rate to get up and down. If I go too far, I’ll just need my mates to cover me!”

* YORK City's pre-season friendly at Shildon on Saturday has been switched to a 12.30pm kick off to avoid a clash with a World Cup quarter-final.