SECURITY and success occupy the thoughts of a match-hungry Darren Edmondson.

At the start of pre-season the 28-year-old right-sided defender committed his future to York City and immediately set his sights on promotion.

And the right-sided defender revealed a sense of relief at ending summer-long speculation regarding his plans.

"Everybody goes on about the Bosman ruling being good for players," said the 28-year-old.

"But at this level it is not what you want. You want security, to be playing regular football and to be in a successful team."

After putting pen to paper on a new two-year contract, Edmondson, snapped up by Terry Dolan on a short term deal in March from Huddersfield Town, now has that sought-after security.

He admitted fresh challenges lay ahead - namely making a first team berth a regular occurrence and seeing City push for promotion.

"I had been unsettled for a year, year and a half, at Huddersfield getting a game every month or two," he said.

"It is nice to know that if my fitness is okay and the manager picks me then, hopefully, I can get a regular game.

"It is difficult coming into a team at the end of the season like I did last year when you just get to know the players and it finishes.

"I was just getting to know how they played and they were just getting to know how I played."

Edmondson admitted he was impressed with Dolan's summer rebuilding programme that had seen defenders Graham Potter, Gary Hobson and strikers Peter Duffield and David McNiven added to the squad.

And he claimed the pre-season prospects boded well for the Minstermen's fortunes.

"The manager has brought in some new faces so hopefully we can all gel together and start well.

"You need competition in every area. Some of Third Division teams who aren't as wealthy don't have the luxury of such a big squad. You need at least two players competing for every position. You are always going to get injuries or dips in form and you have got to have quality cover as well as in your starting line-up."

A Division Three championship winner with his first club, Carlisle United, Edmondson knows what it takes to be a success and reckons City are on track.

"Organisation is important," he said. "That was part of Terry's thinking when he took over. He wanted a settled team that was organised.

"In this division the main thing is not to concede because you are always going to create chances. There are more than a few lads in the squad that know what life is all about in the Third Division and if you can keep clean sheets you have every chance."

PICTURE: CHASING A PROMOTION DREAM: Wing-back Darren Edmondson (left) is a key figure in Terry Dolan's plans this season