NEW goalkeeper Scott Flinders has stadium ambitions at York City.

The 29-year-old former Hartlepool shot-stopper has revealed the prospect of performing in the new Community Stadium next season was one of the driving forces behind his decision to sign for the Minstermen.

Flinders spent six years at Pools, and holds the club's clean sheets record, but left Victoria Park - after captaining them to a miraculous escape from League Two relegation last year - citing the need for a new challenge.

After putting pen to paper on a one-year deal, with an option for another 12 months, Flinders believes the new stadium could propel the club on to better things and he is determined to be a part of York's ambitious plans off and on the pitch.

He said: "I think I needed a new challenge. When this came about, and the plan was put in place - with a new stadium and the manager and chairman's ambition - something really drew me closer to York. What a lovely place to play football.

"My wife and I absolutely love the city and I am looking forward to those future plans. I went up and looked at the training ground - there's no better set-up - and you look at Rotherham and Chesterfield moving into their new stadiums, it set them on their way.

"Rotherham went up into the Championship and Chesterfield nearly got there this year. York is all set for that and let's hope the players do the business on the pitch."

Flinders admitted the decision to leave Hartlepool was a difficult one and maintained: "The club will always have a special place in my heart.

"My son was born in Hartlepool. We lived near Hartlepool for a few years. When you have been at a club for such a long time, it is always going to be a hard decision to leave."

He added: "When you join a club, you always do your homework on them. I spoke to a few people in and around the club and that have worked for the club and they have got nothing but praise for this football club. That's something that a player wants to come into."

Asked about City's prospects next season, Flinders said the Minstermen needed to get off to a good start.

He said: "If you look at the season previous to the last, when they got into the play-offs, then League Two is a funny old league. People can beat each other and it is just about getting that consistency. I think there will be a lot of teams up there.

"You have got to have a deep-lying ambition within yourself to get up there. First and foremost you get a good start and see where that takes you."

Flinders is relishing the challenge that awaits with long-serving custodian Michael Ingham as the pair prepare to battle for the starting spot between the sticks in pre-season.

He said: "First and foremost, you never get given the number one shirt straight away. That's what pre-season is for.

"Inghy probably had one of the best games I had seen last season (against Hartlepool in a 1-0 victory for the Minstermen at Bootham Crescent) when York went down to ten men. I thought he was absolutely magnificent that day.

"He's a good goalkeeper. He has been here a few years and I am looking forward not only to having a challenge with him but to work with him day in and day out.

"That's the most important thing - for goalies to work well with each other and have the old cliche of the goalkeeper's union.

"I am looking forward to working with Inghy and the rest of the goalies now. Andy Leaning is on board as well and I am looking forward to working with him too."