LAST man standing Michael Ingham wants to be the first man to lead York City back to the Football League.

Current captain of the Bootham Crescent clan, the 30-year-old goalkeeper is determined to keep a grip of the armband with the same sort of tenacity he shows between the posts in clutching the ball to the safety of his grasp.

And to hold that honour when City return to the promised land of the 92 Club would be a dream come true for the popular number one.

Said Ingham: “Getting back into the Football League is the reason why I came here two years ago.

“That’s not happened yet. But I’ve signed for another two years and I would love to be the goalkeeper that helps to get the club back into the League again. And to be the captain of the side that wins promotion – that would be a great honour.”

However, despite the steady showing of the Minstermen during their pre-season programme, the former Sunderland goalkeeper will not leap into any rash forecasts of what City are going to do in 2010/11.

The Preston-born shot-stopper prefers to bide his time.

“I am not going to say we are going to do this, we are going to do that.

“I am not going to say, yes, we’ll make the play-offs again or go up automatically,” explained the ’keeper.

“What I will say is let’s wait until around October time and see just where we are then and see how other teams have fared in the league.

“Then, like last year, if we see if we have nothing to fear then I will revise what we should be able to go and do.”

Keeping over-expectation in check had been helped by the 1-1 draw with Hartlepool – the last pre-season friendly against Football League status foes – reckoned the City skipper.

“I am of the old school that says it doesn’t really matter about actual results. Pre-season is more about performances and preparation,” he said.

“We never showed the same standard against Hartlepool that we had in the two previous games, but maybe that’s not such a bad thing. It might just be a little kick up the backside before the season starts to keep us focused.”

Ingham was certain that the new additions to the squad made by manager Martin Foyle have increased the competition for places and also the strength in depth of the City ranks.

“He’s brought in some good players and that will keep us all, including myself, on our toes.”