Shields ace joins York in a loan deal
STRIKER Jason Gilchrist has become the third South Shields player to secure a temporary move to a National League North club after joining York City on a month-long loan deal.
The former FC United and Southport striker follows in the footsteps of defensive duo Blair Adams and Dillon Morse after they joined Gateshead on a similar deal last week.
Gilchrist returns to non-league’s second tier for the first time since he joined the Mariners from Southport ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.
He became an instant hit on South Tyneside and had scored 30 goals in 51 games before the current season was brought to a halt by the Covid-19 epidemic.
With uncertainty clouding a return to action for clubs below National League North level, Gilchrist has now been snapped up by former Newcastle United star and current York manager Steve Watson.
The striker revealed the prospect of playing for the Minstermen was too good to turn down and expressed his desire to continue his impressive goalscoring form to help the club challenge for a return to non-league’s top tier.
He said: “Once I found out York were interested, I was really excited.
“Coming in as a striker you are always expected to try and score goals and people look at your goalscoring record.
“It is good if I can come in, do well and contribute with the goals and try and get some assists as well.”
The striker could make his debut when Watson’s side travels to AFC Telford United on Saturday and could feature in City’s first ever game at their new LNER Community Stadium when they host Curzon Ashton on the last weekend of January.