CHRIS Beardsley is tipping York City for a swift return to the Football League after leaving the club to join Kettering.

The 23-year-old forward has signed an 18-month contract with the Blue Square North leaders, having scored five goals in five matches during a successful one-month loan spell.

Beardsley has only started four matches for the Minstermen since being released by Rushden in the summer and he has left KitKat Crescent on a free transfer, although the club have protected themselves by inserting a sell-on clause in the deal.

The former Mansfield striker's chances with City were limited by injury and the form of other players, with his last start coming at Grays in September when he sustained a broken jaw following a clash with Jamie Stuart, who is now awaiting trial after being charged with GBH.

Had he returned from his loan spell this week, Beardsley would have also been competing with the likes of Martyn Woolford, Richard Brodie, Craig Farrell, Onome Sodje and Paul Brayson for a first-team place.

Beardsley said: "When you leave and you haven't played many games you see it as a bit of a failure, but the lads are doing fantastic and the manager has come in and been great.

"Colin Walker has been brilliant with me. He was honest and fair and the whole set-up there is brilliant - I can't say a bad word about it.

"They looked after me when I had a broken jaw and I can only say thanks to them and wish them all the best because I think they will be in the Football League before too long."

Walker has reciprocated by sending Beardsley his best wishes having given his seal of approval for the move.

The City chief said: "Chris probably saw the bench on Saturday with three strikers on it and I appreciate that he needs to look after himself. I always said it would be his decision whether he wanted to come back and, with him only having started four matches for us, I didn't feel we could stand in his way by asking for a small fee.

"I would rather players leave here with good memories and it would not have meant much if we had asked for £1,000 or something. To have a co-operative reputation in the game means more than getting a small fee.

"He goes with our best wishes. He was upset with his injuries, but he was never a bad lad and he's got to set himself up for the future."