By Brad Saxton

YORK City goalkeeper Maison Campbell says it has been a breath of fresh air since John Askey came into the club as interim manager.

The 18-year-old put pen to paper on his first professional contract with the Minstermen in the summer, signed by then manager Steve Watson following his release from the League Two side Mansfield Town.

Campbell has been a regular in Tim Ryan’s under-19 side this season in the National League Alliance U19 Academy North.

He is still awaiting his first-team debut for York, whose reigns were handed to Askey just over a month ago.

“It has been a breath of a fresh air for everyone since the new gaffer came in. It has made everyone wake up a bit,” said Campbell.

“Even though results haven’t been going our way, we are enjoying being under him.

“He knows what he wants us to do and in training it looks like we have a goal to achieve and that we are working towards something.

“I’m hoping that he will give me an opportunity to make my debut either in the league or the FA Trophy and to get on the pitch and show people what I can do.

“I know I’ll have to wait patiently and I know that I will need to keep working hard, but hopefully I will get an opportunity and if I do, I will be ready to show what I can do out there.”

His time with Mansfield primed him for being around senior squads, Campbell said.

Prior to signing for the Minstermen, he featured on the Stags bench for Mansfield Town at the age of 16 in March last year - a valuable learning opportunity for the young keeper.

Campbell added: “I was on the bench a few times for Mansfield which was a really good experience, it was really good for me at such a young age to learn what a first-team environment was like.

“The games this season with the U19’s is what will help me to carry on improving and work on areas in my game which I don’t feel are as strong.

“Hopefully we can push on as a team and try to win this league which will be another good chance for me.”

Campbell's task of breaking into the first team is made tougher by the presence in the York goal of Pete Jameson, who Campbell believes is currently is the best shot-stopper in National League North.

The young keeper has enjoyed working alongside the more experienced shot-stopper and, while he bides his time for a senior appearance, Campbell is relishing playing with the U19s.

“I’m really enjoying my time here up at York, everyone has really made feel welcome here at the club,” added Campbell.

“I have a got a good bond with everyone at the club, especially Pete.

“Pete has come to a couple of youth team matches to watch, so he’s always willing to help me out and teach me areas of my game that I need to improve on.

“It’s always been good to be around him, he’s an experienced keeper and I feel he is the best keeper in the league right now.”