YORK City's new goalkeeper, Michael Ingham, is looking to rebuild his career at KitKat Crescent after describing his 2007/08 campaign a "write-off".

Ingham had to play second fiddle to Wayne Brown at Hereford United last season and was pleased to end his Edgar Street stay by signing for the Minstermen on a free transfer.

The 27-year-old stopper made just one Football League Trophy appearance for the Bulls having left Wrexham last summer only to see a move to the Scottish Premier League scuppered by a finger injury.

Ingham said: "I was due to sign for Gretna but I bust a finger and didn't have a pre-season so I was in a no-win situation really because, by that time, I was playing catch-up and whichever club I joined it would only be as back-up.

"I injured my finger again but, by the turn of the year, I was fully fit and a couple of clubs wanted to take me on loan in March, but the manager wouldn't let me go because we only had two senior 'keepers.

"To tell the truth, the whole season was a write-off really and I just want to play 40 or 50 games next season."

Ingham is also hoping to recapture the form he showed during his first spell with City at the age of 22, admitting he has not quite attained the same standards since, despite winning two full international caps for Northern Ireland. He said: "I played 17 games here before and it was probably the best 17-game spell of my career.

"Playing behind an experienced centre-half like Chris Brass certainly helped and, although I probably haven't hit the same heights since, I'm more mature now and have learnt a lot so I'm hoping to hit those heights again.

"I've missed being with Northern Ireland as well but (manager) Nigel Worthington has told me if I get regular football I will be back in the squad. That would be a bonus but I haven't come to York to talk about internationals - I want to sort out my club form first."

Ingham is still in close contact with his Northern Ireland team-mates, however, recently playing a round of golf with Premier League pair David Healy and George McCartney.

His country's first-choice stopper, Maik Taylor, of Birmingham City, also remains a good friend.

Ingham added: "Maik is a legend and an absolute gentleman to work with. He's played in the lower leagues with Barnet and worked his way up and he's always on the end of the phone to give me some advice, as is Alan Fettis. We have a very close-knit squad for Northern Ireland and I think that's why we've done well recently."

Have your say

Can Michael Ingham force his way back into the Northern Ireland reckoning?