McReady: York City deal has rescued my professional football career (From York Press)
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New signing John McReady says ‘Minstermen have saved my football career’
12:00pm Saturday 30th June 2012 in Sport
By Steve Carroll, Sports reporter
Midfielder John McReady is pictured at Bootham Crescent after signing for York City on a day of frantic transfer activity for the League Two new boys
NEW arrival John McReady has thanked York City for saving his professional career.
The 19-year-old midfielder, who has signed a two-year deal with the Minstermen, admitted fearing for his future in the game after former club Darlington fell into administration and crashed out of the Blue Square Bet Premier.
“I can’t believe it,” he said after putting pen to paper. “After what happened at Darlington last season I was thinking ‘Is this my professional career over?’. I did have doubts in my mind. But, obviously, I’m just so glad that York came in and saved my career in a way.”
McReady’s capture, for which City will pay a small fee, was part of a busy day of transfer activity, yesterday, with forward Michael Coulson also signing a two-year contract and defender James Meredith departing for League Two rivals Bradford.
McReady said he needed little encouragement to join manager Gary Mills’ Football League revolution.
“It has been a long two weeks,” he explained. “I first talked to the manager and everything seemed to be agreed but there was a little blip with terms at the Darlington end and I am delighted to have joined.
“I agreed terms straight away and everything seemed right. I’m hoping to help the team as much as I can. They should go into the League not fearing anyone. After winning the double last season, why not go for a double promotion?
“You have seen other teams do it in the past, like Doncaster and Stevenage, so why not?”
While disappointed at the fate which has befallen Darlington, McReady said he was anxious to experience once again the match-day atmosphere of Bootham Crescent, which he says is a complete contrast to games in front of spartan crowds at the Darlington Arena.
“What’s going on at Darlington is so sad,” he added. “It’s just a shame I couldn’t keep them up last season but I am hoping they can return to the League – obviously that’s going to take a long time. At the Darlington stadium it was hard to generate an atmosphere, it was that big.
“I’ve played here (Bootham Crescent) a couple of times and the atmosphere is fantastic. The fans are close to the pitch so I am going to enjoy it.
“Everything about the club seems to be going in the right direction.”
Chief among McReady’s ambitions at York is to score more goals, having netted three for the Quakers, including one against the Minstermen in a 2-2 draw in January.
“I’m a ball player. I like to attack and get at players – try and create and score goals,” he said. “I play out wide or in the middle, anywhere across midfield. I’m going to see how pre-season goes and, obviously, fight for a place.
“Hopefully I can cement a place in the team and I hope to get a few goals. I want to improve on that side of my game and take more shots.”
Jason McGill, York City chairman, said of McReady’s capture: “I am absolutely delighted. It was quite a protracted negotiation with Darlington. They have financial issues and problems off the pitch they are trying to solve and John was one of their assets.
“I came up with a deal late on Wednesday evening that made everyone happy – that wasn’t over the top for York City and gave Darlington what they wanted. The player is happy because he is going to ply his trade in League Two.
“John is a very exciting player. He likes to run with the ball at his feet and get into the danger area and, as he showed against York City at Darlington, he can score a goal.
“The way Gary plays, he will want John to get into the box and put the ball in the back of the net. John has, like all the players, got to prove he is worth a starting berth and I am sure he will only come on at York City.”
Comments(32)
Fergie
says...
1:12pm Sat 30 Jun 12
YorkCityLuke wrote:I prefer to look at it this way. We have 3 in midfield from Mclaughlin, Kerr, Bullock, Mcready, (Parslow or Banjo too) and potentialy Potts or Smith if they are here next season. Two wingers from the four off Blair, Chambers, Coulson, Johnson. One Striker from Walker, Maybe Connell? and Reed. Also Johnson can play up front too. If Doig signs and maybe a new left back, that will do us I reckon. Can't see us needing Potts (loan), Bopp, Henderson(loan), Brown or Blinkhorn who should all go IMO. The unluckiest guy in all of this is Challinor who I don't believe will stay but thought he had a superb season last year at right back and I would have liked to retain him in the squad next season, although I don't believe Mills wants to keep him. Looks a very decent squad though don't you think?
I'm glad he's so enthusiastic about joining City, it's the kind of attitude we need from our players. What happened to Darlington was terrible, so hopefully the transfer fee/sell-on fee/ pre season game next season will help them out. As an observation though, we seem to be collecting midfielders again... we now have Mclaughlin, Chambers, Blair, Kerr, Bullock, McReady, Coulson, potentially Potts and Bopp, potentially Danny Parslow and it sounds like we're chasing J. Smith too. This really is just an observation rather than a complaint (we had a ton of midfielders last season too, and that worked out ok!), but it makes you wonder where some of the new players will fit in. Coulson looks great and I'm happy we have him, but equally he seems to be a winger and I can't imagine Mills dropping either Chambers or Blair after last season. McReady would presumably have to muscle out McLaughlin or one of the wingers for a regular starting place, which again seems like a difficult task. Hopefully the competition for places will improve the team as a whole.
Fatsober
says...
1:34pm Sat 30 Jun 12
Tug job
says...
1:43pm Sat 30 Jun 12
RooBeck
says...
2:32pm Sat 30 Jun 12
Peppa07
says...
4:05pm Sat 30 Jun 12
rogue84
says...
4:44pm Sat 30 Jun 12
we may not survive long in these cup competitions, but there is no harm at all having plenty of options!
HorsesHead
says...
6:31pm Sat 30 Jun 12
duffy
says...
6:45pm Sat 30 Jun 12
HorsesHead wrote:Still depends who we let go. If we end up with a squad of around 24 I think that's about right for this level.
Signings, rumours, and size of squad would suggest we are going to run a reserve side next year or at least have more behind closed doors friendlies. Need to do something to keep all players happy and more importantly match fit. Anyone heard any rumours fron within about a reserve side?
OB-1
says...
8:37pm Sat 30 Jun 12
I think we all agree on a solid replacement LB needed, I certainly agree we need a young ambitious keeper to push Ingham, and again IMO we need 2 strikers (especially when Walker moves on, lets be realisitic).
Connell (Swindon) is a bit "samey" to Reedy (he puts in a proper shift, bangs goals in & warms the bench) if you have ever seen him, so I'd be suprised if that came off ........... I reckon Mills has eyes & targets further up the pyramid, watch this space ;-)
Peppa07
says...
10:00am Sun 1 Jul 12
TheonlywayisCity
says...
10:34am Sun 1 Jul 12
YoRkIe59
says...
10:34am Sun 1 Jul 12
alimount
says...
10:50am Sun 1 Jul 12
tomwillo1
says...
11:19am Sun 1 Jul 12
TheonlywayisCity wrote:yeah we have signed him, only in the youth team though for a year then if hes good enough he'll be first team!
We have signed Chris Dickinson from Darlington according to Twitter, a 17yr old striker. One for the future?
RooBeck
says...
12:44pm Sun 1 Jul 12
TheonlywayisCity
says...
1:49pm Sun 1 Jul 12
We need new players rather than past players (Well unless we get Smith back)
RooBeck
says...
1:59pm Sun 1 Jul 12
TheonlywayisCity wrote:And Lee Bullock!! BUT, does GM rate him and he is a proven goalscorer and the price might be right?! Just a bit of speculation!
I don't think Brodie has a cat in hells chance of returning to York and I wouldn't want him back either. He is a spoilt child and doesn't really play our style of football.
We need new players rather than past players (Well unless we get Smith back)
Peppa07
says...
2:24pm Sun 1 Jul 12
Can't believe your negativity about Brodie! His returning to BC is hardly likely but he got a shedfull of goals for us and was indeed exactly the kind of forward we need...i.e. 34 goals in one season. Best City centre forward since Walwyn.
TheonlywayisCity
says...
2:36pm Sun 1 Jul 12
My "Negativity" or your naivety?
RooBeck
says...
2:48pm Sun 1 Jul 12
TheonlywayisCity wrote:Nah!! He would only need to bang in half a dozen goals in three or four games and all would soon be forgotten!! Pro football is fickle - ie. Steven Gerrard kissing the badge and really wanting to go to Chelsea! Ronaldo winding-up Rooney and getting him sent-off and then successfully playing together for the next four seasons! And loads of other examples! It probably is unlikely but I hope we can land a proven goalscorer, in the 25/30 goals a season bracket - that really will give us the edge in bagging a Top Seven position next term!
Peppa07 after his over the top celebration when scoring against us he can safely never come back again.
My "Negativity" or your naivety?
king-albert
says...
4:22pm Sun 1 Jul 12
TheonlywayisCity wrote:"can safely never come back again"????
Peppa07 after his over the top celebration when scoring against us he can safely never come back again.
My "Negativity" or your naivety?
daveymcgurk
says...
7:27pm Sun 1 Jul 12
awesome if it were to happen but never the less will wait and see.
W.A.Y
daveymcgurk
says...
7:34pm Sun 1 Jul 12
got my season ticket on thursday for the longhurst stand...
hope anyone who saw our fantastic achievments at wembley do the same and buy a season ticket!
lets make bc a fortress!
W.A.Y
duffy
says...
7:44pm Sun 1 Jul 12
daveymcgurk wrote:Fully agree with that sentiment
also noticed that wrexham have sold 1500 season tickets and luton 4200 :) im sure we are close to wrexham`s 1500 if not slightly more?
got my season ticket on thursday for the longhurst stand...
hope anyone who saw our fantastic achievments at wembley do the same and buy a season ticket!
lets make bc a fortress!
W.A.Y
oldmanvecrayke
says...
7:58pm Sun 1 Jul 12
YcfcBooth
says...
8:02pm Sun 1 Jul 12
oldmanvecrayke wrote:I'm not sure when they start offering it but I've seen a mini season ticket being up for sale last season which was something like 10 games instead of the full season, could be worth it for just the afternoon games if they do it again this season!
I've contemplated investing in a season ticket for this season, but I run a local York & District side on Saturday afternoons, so I'm limited mainly to evening games, do they do any kind of other ticket ????????
daveymcgurk
says...
8:03pm Sun 1 Jul 12
personally i think the smith rumour is credible,however i heard that connell wants a move south.
oldmanvecrayke
says...
8:42pm Sun 1 Jul 12
Thanks YcfcBooth for the info bout mini season tickets , I'll keep an eye out for them .
duffy
says...
8:50pm Sun 1 Jul 12
daveymcgurk wrote:My understanding is we are trying for both but other clubs are interested.
duffy have you heard if these rumours regarding smith and connell are true?
personally i think the smith rumour is credible,however i heard that connell wants a move south.
PMarsham
says...
12:49pm Mon 2 Jul 12
YcfcBooth wrote:Min season ticket available from 3 December. There are 13 home games scheduled from this date but most are on a Saturday at this stage. Some may get rearranged but you are unlikely to be able to use up you 10 tickets if you cannot go a a Saturday.
oldmanvecrayke wrote:I'm not sure when they start offering it but I've seen a mini season ticket being up for sale last season which was something like 10 games instead of the full season, could be worth it for just the afternoon games if they do it again this season!
I've contemplated investing in a season ticket for this season, but I run a local York & District side on Saturday afternoons, so I'm limited mainly to evening games, do they do any kind of other ticket ????????
Zetkin
says...
1:41pm Mon 2 Jul 12
YorkCityLuke says...
12:25pm Sat 30 Jun 12
As an observation though, we seem to be collecting midfielders again... we now have Mclaughlin, Chambers, Blair, Kerr, Bullock, McReady, Coulson, potentially Potts and Bopp, potentially Danny Parslow and it sounds like we're chasing J. Smith too. This really is just an observation rather than a complaint (we had a ton of midfielders last season too, and that worked out ok!), but it makes you wonder where some of the new players will fit in. Coulson looks great and I'm happy we have him, but equally he seems to be a winger and I can't imagine Mills dropping either Chambers or Blair after last season. McReady would presumably have to muscle out McLaughlin or one of the wingers for a regular starting place, which again seems like a difficult task. Hopefully the competition for places will improve the team as a whole.