Delighted City boss Walker seals first summer signings

11:04am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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YORK City boss Colin Walker has swooped to make goalkeeper Michael Ingham and utility man Mark Greaves his first signings of the summer.

Ingham, who played for City on loan from Sunderland in 2003, agreed terms late last night after being released by Hereford, while Greaves, who is equally comfortable in the centre of defence or midfield, was given a free transfer by Blue Square Premier rivals Burton last week.

Greaves, 33, spent last season at City's Blue Square Premier rivals Burton and can play in the centre of defence or midfield.

He scored in Burton's 4-3 victory over the Minstermen last August and Walker pointed out that he would be considered for both positions next season.

The City boss said: "He is a vastly experienced Football League player and brings exactly what we are looking for in the middle of midfield or defence. He can do a dual role and I've signed him for that reason.

"He's played as many times in both positions and doesn't care where he plays."

Walker also stressed that any concerns over Greaves' age were unwarranted.

About his 6ft 1ins signing, he added: "How old he is doesn't mean anything because he's lean, mean and dead keen. It's also a move closer to his home in Hull."

Hull-born Greaves was a member of Brigg Town's 1996 FA Vase- winning team before joining his hometown club at the age of 21.

He went on to make more than 200 appearances during six years with the Tigers before leaving for Boston United in 2002.

Greaves stayed with the Pilgrims until their relegation from League Two last summer before joining Burton, where he scored five goals in 33 starts.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland international goalkeeper Ingham is back at the club five years after spending four months on loan from Sunderland.

The 27-year-old 6ft 4ins stopper has been given a free transfer at newly-promoted League One outfit Hereford, where he made one appearance in the Football League Trophy last season.

City needed a new first-choice 'keeper following the release of Tom Evans last month. That left teenage rookie Josh Mimms as their only professional 'keeper.

About the addition of Ingham, communications and community director Sophie McGill said: "Michael was identified as an experienced, quality goalkeeper that we wanted to add to the squad for next season.

"I am pleased to say at 8.30pm last night we received confirmation from Michael's agent, Paul Bielby, that he is willing to commit his future to York.

"Michael showed he was a very good goalkeeper during his previous time with us and is somebody who already has an affinity with the club."

Ingham kept seven clean sheets in 17 matches after he was brought to the club by then manager Terry Dolan.

Having been signed for Sunderland from Cliftonville in 1999, he only played four times for the Stadium of Light side - twice in the League Cup and twice in the Championship - in six years, while also going out on loan to Carlisle, Darlington, Wrexham and Doncaster.

Ingham joined Wrexham in 2005 but, two years later, moved on to Hereford, where he has been unable to dislodge first choice Wayne Brown.

The second of Ingham's two full caps came as a second-half substitute for Birmingham's Maik Taylor during last February's 0-0 friendly draw with Wales.

He made his senior international debut, also as a replacement for Taylor, in a 4-1 home defeat to Germany in June 2005, conceding a goal scored by Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski.