JOHN ASKEY has signed a new deal with York City to become the club's permanent manager on a deal running until the end of next season.

Askey joined York in November and initially arrived at the club as an assistant to then-manager Steve Watson. Following Watson's departure later in the month, Askey was appointed as interim manager until the end of the season.

City won just two of their first seven Vanarama National League North matches under Askey but then went on a run of 12 matches without defeat under the former Macclesfield Town, Shrewsbury Town and Port Vale boss.

York's run of form since late January has seen them move into the division's play-off places as they seek promotion to the National League and they have also reached the semi-finals of the Buildbase FA Trophy.

“I’m delighted to have signed a contract with the football club," said Askey.

"I’ve been made to feel really welcome while I’ve been here and things have gone really well.

“So I’m really pleased to have been offered the chance to manage this football club (permanently).

“Hopefully we can build something. I’m looking forward to it because I think it’s a fantastic club.

“Hopefully I can do the position justice.”

Askey added that the decision to stay at York on a permanent basis was a "very easy" one to make.

“Coming into the club, I’ve got on well with the players and the staff," he said. "I’m just looking forward to it because it’s a good challenge.

“Hopefully we can get the club back to where it needs to be.”

With the manager's immediate future now certain, it is hoped that the stability can help attract and keep the players required to meet City's ambitions.

“It does help when they know who the manager is going to be (next season) – hopefully it helps anyway,” Askey chuckled.

“It gives that bit of stability if the players know that I’m going to be here for a year.

“We want to try and attract players that are going to improve us."