York City's Brodie joins Crawley

The big spending southern club have swooped for the Minstermen's leading goalscorer last term who had rejected a new contract offer at Bootham Crescent during the summer.

Brodie helped guide York to the play-off final last season and within one win of a return to the Football League, but was out of contract at the end of the season.

The former Newcastle Blue Star striker had been linked with a move to Football League clubs, including League One side Sheffield Wednesday, but will attempt to fulfil his League ambition with ambitious Crawley.

A club statement read: "Richard Brodie was out of contract at the end of the season and would have been able to leave then for free.

"The club did not want a similar situation to Clayton Donaldson whereby he was 23 and left to play in Scotland for free.

"At that time the chairman received criticism for not receiving a fee although his only aim was to get York City promoted.

"This time the club had to let the player leave and accept a fee, bearing in mind that the player had asked to go. We all wish Richard well for the future.

"As a club we now have to move forward and look to the future."