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YORK CITY: The only way is up for us now, declares Smith
THE 2008-09 campaign was a nightmare for the Ministermen with only a few bright spots appearing amidst the gloom.
A trip to Wembley for the FA Trophy final was undoubtedly the brightest; another could arguably be the emergence of younger winger Adam Smith.
Originally signed on loan from Blue Square North side Gainsborough Trinity during November, Smith became a fans' favourite for his pace down the flanks.
He signed a permanent contract in January after City paid a small fee to Trinity.
Before arriving at Gainsborough, Smith was enjoying league football with Chesterfield but a serious knee injury hampered his career at Saltergate.
Now recovered, Smith is looking forward to the forthcoming Blue Square Premier battle and is aware that he has the chance he has been craving –regular first-team football.
Even though times were tough last season, Smith was pleased to be part of the side and knows the learning curve will be useful in the future.
The 24-year-old was used 16 times in the league by new City boss Martin Foyle, but now he could become a regular.
"It will be a big chance for me," Smith conceded.
"I hope I get a good season under my belt and I'm confident I will.
"I've got my fingers crossed that no injuries flare up, the previous injuries have now cleared up.
"I'm fit and ready to go.
"For me, last season was a good experience which I enjoyed even though the times were tough."
The revolving door at KitKat Crescent has been well used from both sides – in and out.
There have been 11 departures while seven new faces have joined.
Craig Farrell, Onome Sodje, Mark Robinson, Daniel McBreen, Steven Hogg, Simon Rusk, Christian Smith, Josh Radcliffe, Mark Greaves, Shaun Pejic and Liam Shepherd have all departed for new pastures.
But every player that has left has been replaced and Smith is impressed by the calibre of the new arrivals, especially Foyle's 10,000 new defender James Meredith.
Meredith featured in City's FA Trophy semi-final victory for AFC Telford United in March and Smith's opinion is based on his performance that day.
"There have been a lot of signings and Martin Foyle has been busy and they look promising," the Huddersfield-born player said.
"The best one, I think, could be James Meredith. I think he's a very good signing.
"He looked good playing for AFC Telford, on loan from Derby last season.
"Michael Rankine has also signed and hopefully I can get some crosses in for him to score some goals next season.
"He could also be a good supply line for Richard Brodie and Adam Boyes."
Nearly all of Foyle's summer recruits are now in place as 2008-09 looms large on the horizon.
Smith says the ambition for City's much-changed squad is the Football League and he is confident of the chances of York becoming this year's surprise package.
However, he is not nave and knows the target is part of a winning mentality his boss Foyle is trying to instill at the club.
On a number of occasions last season, the former Port Vale boss did admit that his side had simply become used to losing.
"The aim is for promotion and we have to be positive about it," said Smith.
"We have to forget about last year, the slate has now been wiped clean.
"It was a nightmare last season, but we stayed up.
"We don't want to be getting carried away; we just have to be looking for three points in every game.
"Hopefully, we can do well in the league but need to take one game at a time and stay focused."
Part-timers Histon surprised many by finishing third behind champions Burton Albion and runners-up Cambridge United last term and York will hope to follow the example of the men from the Glassworld Stadium.
Histon made their home ground a fortress, a feat York could not manage.
At one point, Foyle even accused his men of being scared of their own supporters.
Smith knows that there are a number of other good Conference teams who have strengthened their sides with high-quality signings.
The winger believes Luton Town could be the side to watch, based on the additions they brought in.
Luton have signed former Rushden & Diamonds flare man Andy Burgess along with former Barnet striker Liam Hatch to boost their aspirations of a quick return to the Football League.
"Rushden and Diamonds had a strong end to the season and looked good," he added. "Also, Luton, one of the two teams to come down, look strong with the signings they've made.
"They had a good squad last year and would have done well, had they not lost all those points with the Football League deductions.
"Cambridge are also strong but there are a lot good teams in the division and, at this point, it looks like it is going to be a good, long, hard fight."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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