YORK City boss Steve Watson has argued that the new community stadium will prove a big attraction for potential summer signings even though it won’t now be ready for the start of next season.

The Minstermen had been scheduled to receive the keys to the new arena in May but, with the project now delayed until August 19 at the earliest, Watson will still need to complete any transfers at the club’s 87-year-old Bootham Crescent home.

But the ex-Everton defender does not regard that as a significant setback, saying: “I had a walk around the new stadium the other day and it’s going to be fantastic. It will be a huge draw to get players to sign for us and, for those who might be borderline about dropping down a division or two, things like the stadium, training ground, fan base and history will go in our favour when we’re recruiting in the summer.

“It would certainly have been a lot easier if the stadium had been ready, but that’s out of my hands. I don’t know if we can get players walking around in hard hats and wellies, so maybe I’ll get a decent 3D plan to show new recruits!

"But we’re still at a good stadium for this level and I just have to worry about getting things right on the training ground and the pitch.”