SELF-CONFESSED Steven Gerrard fan Craig Clay has declared he will bring passion to York City’s central midfield.

Clay was the second half of a double brace of captures when he arrived at Bootham Crescent in tow with striker Ryan Jarvis as the first two signings of manager Nigel Worthington’s era as the permanent manager of the Minstermen.

But whereas 26-year-old Jarvis joined from Torquay, Clay’s move to City was from not that far away. He linked up with City on a two-year-deal from fellow npower League Two rivals Chesterfield.

Nottingham born, he spent five years with the Spireites – the first two on youth terms. Clay wanted to assure City fans that they would always get maximum effort and energy.

“I am a central midfielder who likes to get forward,” said Clay, who has only just turned 21, and whose run in the senior Spireites team last term was curtailed by a hernia injury.

He added: “The manager wants me to bring pace and energy to the centre of midfield and I’d say I am a workhorse.”

Clay featured against the Minstermen as a substitute for the final half-hour of last September’s 2-2 draw at Bootham Crescent, but other than that did not know much about York other than the odd social visit.

“But I’m really looking forward to getting started with York,” said Clay.

“The player I have looked up to the most is Steven Gerrard. He’s the midfielder I most respect.

“I think it’s vital that when you play you show passion in the shirt and for the team and that’s what I will try to bring every time I play.”