DAN PARSLOW is aiming to help York City “kick on” next season after signing a new two-year contract.

The 27-year-old was rewarded with a fresh deal by manager Nigel Worthington after playing a key role in the club’s successful fight against relegation from npower League Two.

The long-serving utility man is confident the Minstermen will come back stronger after the harrowing experience of their first season back in the Football League.

“It was a huge relief to stay up on the final day,” said the former Wales Under-21 international. “It wasn’t how we wanted it to go, but it was massive to stay in the League.

“Hopefully we can kick on and build on last year, using all that happened, and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“Teams getting promoted from the Conference, like Crawley and Stevenage, have done well in the past and people expect others to follow suit.

“I think last season was always going to be difficult, but we didn’t foresee the situation we found ourselves in.”

Parslow, one of five out-of-contract players offered new terms by Worthington, was grateful for the extra security of the two-year deal, particularly with his wedding to fiancée Emma looming next June.

“It’s great to sign for two years,” he said. “With a one-year deal, before you know it you are back in the same position.

“Two years is great, particularly as I am getting married next summer.

“The club put the offer on the table and I was delighted to sign.

“It’s great to get it sorted out, coming off the back of such a difficult season.”

The Minstermen’s first season back in the League was a landmark campaign for Parslow, who joined the club as one of former boss Billy McEwan’s recruits in 2006.

The former Cardiff City player proved his versatility at left-back, right-back, centre-half and in a midfield holding role, winning a record third Billy Fenton Memorial Trophy as clubman of the year.

The 1-0 win at Dagenham on the final day, which sealed City’s survival, was also Parslow’s 300th appearance for the club.

A quartet of current players have clocked up more than 200 appearances for the Bootham Crescent outfit, with Parslow joined by fellow centre-backs David McGurk and Chris Smith and goalkeeper Michael Ingham.

“The four of us have been here a long time – Chris in two spells – and we’ve seen a lot of players come and go,” said Parslow.

“We have stuck around, and there have been some tough times.

“We almost got relegated from the Conference, but we had the high of the FA Trophy final against Stevenage in 2009.

“We got close to promotion in 2010 but fell short against Oxford, which was hugely disappointing. But we came back and got back into the Football League the season before last.

“It’s been great to have that shot at playing in the League, which every footballer wants to do.

“You want to play at the highest level you can. I love the challenge of playing against better teams and better players, and I thrived on it.”

Parslow has followed teenage midfielder Tom Platt and McGurk in signing a new deal, while contracts have also been offered to right-back Lanre Oyebanjo and skipper Smith.