JONATHAN Smith says he has come to York City to win the Blue Square Bet Premier.

The 23-year-old midfielder signed for the Minstermen on a two-year deal after being out of contract at Forest Green Rovers, where he had spent the past three seasons.

Smith scored eight goals for Forest Green last season and said he hoped to weigh in for City as they push for promotion to the Football League this season.

Having begun his career at Morecambe, Smith said his move to Bootham Crescent was a “big chance to come and show what I can do at a bigger club”.

And he has lofty aims for his new outfit.

“My ambition is to win the league,” he said. “I have come here to win the league and nothing else really. I am pleased to be here. It’s a big chance for me to come and show what I can do at a bigger club.

“Hopefully I can take the opportunity and get in the team. All I can do is work hard, that’s all I have ever done.

“I went from Morecambe to Forest Green to prove myself there and I have got to do the same again here.”

Smith, who has come to York for a small compensation fee, admitted it had been a difficult decision to leave the New Lawn.

“It was a massive decision,” he added. “I loved every minute of it there, they looked after me and they gave me the opportunity at this level. Before then I had never had a chance and to leave there was difficult.

“Every time I played at York they always seemed to have good support behind them, the manager seems a top man and he worked hard to get me here. He said good things.

“I think York have got a massive chance of getting promotion and I want to play for a team which is going to be pushing at the top – and I think York will definitely be pushing at the top.

“I work hard to get as high as I can and I want to get to the Football League. That’s why I have come to York. I bring a lot of energy and I hope to bring some goals to the team from midfield.

“I get forward and back. I always give 100 per cent and no one will ever criticise my workrate. That’s the way I am.”

Smith, who scored a stunning goal for Forest Green in the FA Cup against Derby County in a 4-3 defeat in January 2009, said he couldn’t wait to get started at City.

“I am hoping I can settle in pretty quickly,” he said. “You get respect if you work hard and that’s what I am hoping to get. I just want to get into it now. Hopefully pre-season will go quickly and I can get into the season and get going.”


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