My local team is York City, so I thought I would look into the three signings they made today.

Firstly, two of them were already at the club last season; Adriano Moke and Hamza Bencherif. While the third signing Michael Rankine previously played for the Ministermen and joins for his third spell at the club.

Adriano Moke

The midfielder has signed a one year deal to continue at York and will hope bounce back from relegation at the first time of asking.

The 27 year old only made 28 appearances last year, eight from the bench but failed to score, after joining from Boreham Wood in November on a free transfer.

He did impress in the FA Trophy final victory, when he came off the bench and will be hopeful of a starting place in next season’s line ups.

The Portuguese born player has featured at this level before with Stockport County in the Conference Premier back in 2013, Moke had also had several seasons in the National League.

Many were happy that Moke had signed a new deal:

YES! Great that you’re staying mate, top man.

— YCFC SLO (@YCFC_SLO) 16 June 2017

Superb news!!

— Sarah Anne Johnson (@Rugbychick2440) 16 June 2017

Hamza Bencherif

The defender is another to stay at the club from last season, after making 21 appearances following his January arrival from Wrexham, where he also worked under City manager Gary Mills.

The Algerian spoke on his permanent move to the Minstermen:

“It feels really good to get things sorted. It’s something we’ve all been thinking and talking about as a squad since the end of last season, keeping this group of players together as much as possible.

The 29 year old was a calm presence in the defence last season and made a goal saving header off the line at Wembley in City’s FA Trophy win.

Bencherif has played as high as League One with Notts County in 2013.

Fans welcomed the news of the defender signing a one year deal.

Not too bad 👌🏻

— Sam kirby (@samkirby07) 16 June 2017

Great news again, top player and a great ambassador for the football club.

— YCFC SLO (@YCFC_SLO) 16 June 2017

Michael Rankine

The striker returns to City for his third spell, signing from National League Guiseley. Rankine was first signed by former manager Martin Foyle in 2009 and helped the club reach that campaign’s Conference play-off final.

He also briefly played for York during Gary Mills’ first managerial spell with the club when he was brought in on loan from Aldershot in 2013; featuring eight times.

The 32 year old already has nearly 100 appearances for the Minstermen alongside 20 league goals, which he will hope to add to in his time playing in the National League North next season.

However reaction was mixed from supporters,

I liked Rankine the first time round but kind of feels like we are becoming a retirement home

— Ranieri 4ever (@BarhamHarriet) 16 June 2017

 

Yesss, RankineLad. Please say you’ve improved your first touch since last time. 🤣🤣

— Callum Chappell (@cal_ycfc_efc) 16 June 2017

 

Great signing! Rankine and Parkin… great duo next season

— Harry Quinn (@harry_rodney) 16 June 2017

 

Personally for me, all the three signings are positive. Moke is a much needed squad player and has the heart for the club to help get them back promoted into the National League at the first time of asking

Bencherif is a great deal for the level York will be playing in next season and looked the part much of the time I saw him play.

Rankine will no doubt bully and out-muscle plenty of defenders in the National League North and alongside Parkin could score plenty. He is past his best though and his goalscoring stats have faltered in the past few seasons, so it remains to be seen whether he will be a good signing.