RICHARD Brodie has been stuck on 99 National League goals since September and is keen to rack up his century at York City.

The 29-year-old forward tally included the hat-trick against Chester he scored for the Minstermen in 2009/10 that was subsequently expunged from the records following their withdrawal from the league, but excludes the strike he made during that campaign’s play-off, semi-final triumph against Luton.

Having left Aldershot midway through last season, he joined National League North Stockport, meaning he missed out on the chance of reaching the landmark prior to this summer’s switch to Bootham Crescent.

But he now has the three-figured target firmly in his sights, saying: “it will be a special moment to do it for the club where I got my first on my professional debut at Altrincham in 2007. I won’t be desperate to get it and my role in the team might be a bit different to before, but I’m sure it will come whether it’s in the first game or the third and, if it doesn’t, I’ll be on my way.”

Brodie admitted, meanwhile, that he intends to mark the moment in low-key fashion, probably with his trademark Angel of the North pose, to avoid any punishment from officials, who have never been slow to brandish their cards in his direction.

“I’ve got no celebration planned, other than the one I’ve always had with my arms spread out that I’m sure a lot of fans in the Longhurst will remember,” he added. “I certainly won’t be pulling my shirt up or taking it off, because I don’t want a yellow card for that.”

Do not be surprised either, if Brodie tots up his ton from the penalty spot, having been deadly from 12 yards during his first stint at the club.

“I missed one in training the other day when I tried something different to normal and the lads the said I wouldn’t be on them, but I would like to take them and will be putting my name forward,” he declared.

Brodie also believes he is in the right mental state to achieve his goals this term, with no unsettling distractions off the pitch.

“My little boy is due next month and your priorities change,” he explained. “Before, I was scoring goals and would get £50 in my back pocket to buy a shirt and go out for the night.

“I can’t do that any more. I have a family to support and I want to make my son proud.”

Brodie, whose partner is based in Southport, will live with fellow summer signings Aidan Connolly and Shaun Rooney in York throughout the week.

Many of the team are cohabiting in similar arrangements, with all the squad based in and around the city – a factor that Brodie reckons provides a good platform for building team spirit, as well as success.

On his new domestic arrangements, Brodie said: “It’s been a bit strange because I’ve not asked them to do anything and I’ve always been one to muck in, but Aidan and Shaun are such great lads that they’ve been running around after me and cooking meals.

“I’ve even got my own reclining chair and they are a pleasure to be with. Sometimes, in football, you are put with people you’re unsure about, but we’ve clicked straight away.

“We watch television, go for a walk and have a coffee in town together. I think it’s the first club I’ve been at where the manager has insisted all the players live in and around the city and that’s creating an important team spirit.

“It’s alright having that ability to win games, score goals and keep clean sheets but, in the National League, when you’re spending eight hours on a coach together going to Braintree or Dover, you need that camaraderie. When I left York for Crawley, I was living out of hotels and the back of cars and that’s horrible, but we’re in a three-bed semi and it’s great to have that comfort.

“I’m not a person who likes to be on my own and that’s what led to my mistakes in the past.”

Brodie is a fan, meanwhile, of his new manager’s demeanour, adding: “He has a great name in the game for what he achieved with Celtic and Scotland and made a great impression on me when I first met him.

“Some managers like to scream and shout at you, but that does nothing for me. Anybody can do that, but he watches and stands back. You can see he is a thinker and I feel that approach is spot on.”

The ex-Newcastle Benfield Bay Plastics marksman went on to suggest that City’s opening day fixture on Maidstone United’s artificial 4G pitch will provide an early test of the squad’s resolve.

“That surface is not my cup of tea, but you have to get on with it,” he reasoned. “You have to go to places like that and get results.

“ I always say this league isn’t won at places like Wrexham, Chester and Grimsby – it’s won by digging in at clubs like Braintree, Bromley and Maidstone.”