Youhill, 28, came to watch his ex Harrogate RA team mate Nathan Cartman in play off action, and was very impressed by the two games.

“I went to the play off semi final against Spennymoor and the final against Bamber Bridge,” he said. “What a game it was against Spennymoor, a real thriller. I couldn’t believe the number of people who came on the pitch at the end of the Bamber Bridge game to celebrate winning promotion, the atmosphere was terrific.

“The final maybe wasn’t as good as the semi final, but you could still tell that it was a massive game by the atmosphere.

“I felt that I would love to be part of something like that, and when Martin Gray got in touch with me and asked me to join, I said “Really?” It will be great to play in front of a four figure crowd like that every week.”

Rob has played for several clubs in Yorkshire and in America, and said; “I went to Hofstra University in the States, and played for the University and also for New Jersey Express. They were great times at a decent standard of football. Players over there are very athletic, and will run all day. We trained three times a day, which some players didn’t like, but for me it was great – eating, sleeping and playing football. There can’t be anything better than that!

“I then came back to the UK sort out my visa, and didn’t return to the States! Through word of mouth I joined Harrogate Town in Conference North. I left my car and my flat in the States – I told my flat mate that he could have it! I had a loan spell at North Ferriby, who won the EvoStik Premier while I was there, but I didn’t play much. Their style of play was different to mine, they wanted to play long balls and expect me to pick up the bits, whereas I’m the sort of player who likes to get the ball at my feet, and run at defenders.

“I joined Harrogate RA, and immediately established an understanding with Nathan Cartman. I would go down the right, cross them into the middle, and he would finish them off. We worked well together, and what’s more, we’re great friends off the pitch. There was a mutual benefit in our partnership. Hopefully we can re-create it again.”