York City F.C.

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York City
York City's emblem
Full name York City Football Club
Nickname(s) The Minstermen, Yorkies
Founded 1922 (or 1903)[1]
Ground KitKat Crescent
York
Capacity 9,600 (3,571 seated)
Chairman Flag of England Jason McGill[2]
Manager Flag of Scotland Billy McEwan
League Conference National
2005-06 Conference National, 8th
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
　
Home colours
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
　
Away colours

York City Football Club are an English football club founded in 1922 and are based in York, North Yorkshire. The club has spent much of its history in The Football League, rising on occasion as far as the old Second Division. However, since 2004, they have been playing in the Conference National.

York have enjoyed more success in cup competitions, with highlights including an FA Cup semi-final appearance in 1955. Without doubt, City's most unlikely and most celebrated result came in the second round of the 1995/96 Coca-Cola Cup, with a 3-0 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford, who went on to win the FA Cup and Premiership double that season.

Contents

[edit] History

Some sources state the roots of York City Football Club can be traced back as far back as 1897 when the York and District League was formed as association football was beginning to gather popularity.[3]

In York, a team named York City Football Club were founded in 1903.[4] They first joined the Northern League in 1908 and played there for two seasons, before leaving to form the Yorkshire Combination (a proto-Yorkshire League).[1] The club turned professional in 1912 and joined the Midland League.[1] The team played in the Midland League for three seasons, rising as high as tenth position.[1] They played their final season in 1914-15 because of World War I, and the club was folded in 1917 during the war.[1]

For reasons unknown, this part of York City's history is rarely acknowledged, the club themselves state the founding date as 1922, even though the men who re-founded the club in 1922 were involved with the original York City.

[edit] Refounding: FA Cup semi-finalists

The club was re-founded in 1922 by members of the former club who founded a limited company and gained admission to the Midland League. They played in the Midland League for seven seasons, finishing as high as sixth, during both 1924-25 and 1926-27.[5]

York City squad of 1922.
York City squad of 1922.

York were elected to the Football League in 1929.[6] They originally played at Fulfordgate, from 1921-1932.[7] York moved to their present home of Bootham Crescent in the summer of 1932.[8] This ground was later re-named KitKat Crescent in late 2004.

City spent 29 years of their history in Division Three North, from 1929-30 to 1957-58 including the years in which World War II took place where the league was postponed. The club didn't begin to end their seasons very high up the table until the 1950s, they reached fourth in both 1952-53 and 1954-55 seasons.

In the cup competitions the club fared better, and built a reputation for "giant killing".[9] This can be traced back to the 1937/38 season FA Cup tournament, the club were playing in the Football League Third Division at the time, but managed to knock out first division West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough, before meeting Huddersfield Town in the quarter-final, City drew the quarter-final 0-0 but went out after losing the replay 2-1 at Leeds Road.[6]

Perhaps the club's biggest achievement came when they reached the FA Cup semi-final in the 1954/55 season. A campaign in which Arthur Bottom scored 8 goals for the club, and the team disposed of a Blackpool side which featured Stanley Matthews.[3] After drawing 1-1 against Newcastle United in the semi-final, York took Newcastle to a replay; a match in which City were eventually defeated 2-0.[6]

York City became founding members of Football League Fourth Division as Division Three North and South were merged. During the leagues formative season City missed out on the runner-up due to goal average, they were however promoted to Division Three.

[edit] Division Yo-Yoing: 1960s, 1970s

Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Traditional kit colours.

York were relegated straight back down after their first season in Division Three.[6] In 1962 York reached the quarter finals of the League Cup, where they lost 2-1 to Rochdale.[6] At the end of the 1963-64 season York were again forced to seek re-election as they finished in 22nd of the Fourth Division.[6] York finished in 3rd place in Division Four in the 1964-65 season to gain promotion to the Third Division, after a season which included a record 20 home League wins.[6] In the 1965-66 season, York finished bottom of the Third Division and were relegated straight back to Division Four, conceding a club record 106 goals.[6] York seeked re-election having finished 22nd in 1966-67 and 21st in both 1967-68 and 1968-69 in Division Four.[6] York finished in 4th place in Division Four in the 1970-71 season and are promoted for the third time in their history to Division Three.[6]

During their first season back in Division, York were promoted in the 1973-74 season to Division Two.[6] York reached their highest ever league position by finishing in 15th place in the Second Division in the 1974-75 season.[6] On March 29 1975, York had their biggest League crowd ever of 46,802 at Old Trafford as York lost 2-1 to Manchester United.[6] York finished in 21st place in the Second Division and were relegated to Division Three in the 1975-76 season.[6]

Under former Manchester United manager Wilf McGuinness, the 1976-77 season had York drop into Division Four after finishing bottom of the Third Division in 24th place.[6] In the 1977-78 season, York finished 22nd in Division Four and were forced to apply for re-election as the club was in financial trouble and attendances at an all-time low.[6] In September 1978, Douglas Craig joined York City's board.[6]

[edit] Return of the Giant Killers: Arsenal fall

York finished bottom of the Fourth Division in 24th place in the 1980-81 season and were forced to seek re-election for the seventh time in their history.[6] In the 1981-82 season, York failed to win in 12 home games, a club record, and lost to non-league side Altrincham in the FA Cup.[6] Keith Walwyn was signed during this season, and became York's first player to top 20 goals in a season since the 1970s.[6] In the 1983-84 season York won the Fourth Division with a record 101 points, the first team to do so in the Football League.[6]

In January 1985, York City recorded a shock result in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup by beating Arsenal 1-0 at Bootham Crescent, with the goal coming from a penalty by Keith Houchen.[10] York went on to draw 1-1 with Liverpool at Bootham Crescent on 16 February 1985, but lost 7-0 in the replay at Anfield 4 days later, which was their record cup defeat.[6]

In 1990, David Longhurst, a football player for York, had a heart attack on the field and died during a home match against Lincoln City.[6] A home stand at Bootham Crescent was later named after him. Douglas Craig took over as chairman in 1991.[6]

[edit] City rising up the League: Manchester United beaten

York City Football Club crest: 1978-2002.
York City Football Club crest: 1978-2002.

York had spent 5 years at the same league level, but pulled themselves up to the Football League Second Division after winning the Division Three playoffs in 1993, beating Crewe Alexandra in the final on penalties at Wembley Stadium.[6] York stayed in Division Two for six seasons, during their first of which they were very nearly promoted to Division One but they lost to Stockport County in the playoff semi finals.[6]

York recorded one of the great shock victories of the 1990s in the League Cup Second Round. York City beat Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford during the 1995-96 season.[11] The Manchester United team included the likes of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville and others, which was the Manchester United team which went on to win the Premiership and FA Cup double the same season.[11]

York went on to beat Everton in the Second Round of the League Cup the following season.[6] They drew the first leg 1-1 at Goodison Park; Neil Tolson took the lead for City but Andrei Kanchelskis pulled one back.[12] The second leg was a more intense affair at Bootham Crescent. Everton fielded a strong team, including the aforementioned Kanchelskis as well as Gary Speed and David Unsworth; City won the game 3-2 with Graeme Murty scoring the goal which separated the two sides.[12]

[edit] Relegations and Financial difficulties

York's six-year stay in Division Two had ended when they were relegated in 1999, and manager Alan Little was sacked in March 1999.[6] His successor Neil Thompson was sacked after one year in charge, in which York struggled near the foot of Division Three.[6] Thompson's successor Terry Dolan guided York to safety, but could only finish 20th in the table.[6]

Off the pitch, financial difficulties had placed the club under threat of liquidation. Long-time chairman Douglas Craig put the club and ground up for sale for £4.5 million and announced in December 2001 that unless a new owner was found before April 1, 2002, City would be resigned from the Football League.[13] A huge campaign was launched to save the club, which found support not only from City fans and York residents, but also from football fans across the country. Team B&Q racing driver and team owner, John Batchelor, took over from Craig as the new chairman.[14] Batchelor promised the club much, but after more financial controversy regarding funds promised to City which went undelivered, a group of York City supporters formed the “Supporters’ Trust” and stepped in to take over the club, completing their take-over deal in 2003.[15]

Terry Dolan was sacked in June 2003, with the board citing financial reasons for his departure.[16] Chris Brass, a 27-year-old defender, became the youngest-ever manager in league football when he became player-manager of York City in June 2003.[17] An impressive start to the 2003/04 Division Three campaign gave fans hope for a promotion challenge, and come Christmas a playoff place still looked a real possibility. But York failed to win any of their final 20 league fixtures and were relegated to the Conference after 75 years of league membership.[6] At the same time, a planned move to Huntington Stadium had fallen through and they were facing eviction from Bootham Crescent. Planning permission for a housing development on the site had already been granted to Persimmon Homes after John Batchelor had signed an agreement for City to leave Bootham Crescent by the end of the 2003-04 season. York were given a loan of £2 million from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, which secured the purchase of Bootham Crescent.[18]

York City Football Club
York City Football Club

In the 2004-05 season, Brass was sacked as manager in November 2004, with Viv Busby being placed as caretaker-manager.[19] After four months in charge, Busby left the club by mutual consent.[20] Busby was then replaced by Billy McEwan.[21] York underwent the worst season of any team immediately after relegation from the Football League (excluding Newport County, who went out of business in 1989 before they could complete their first Conference season). The team eventually finished in the lowly position of 17th.

Eventually, York City finished in 8th place in the Conference in the 2005/06 season, narrowly missing out on the playoffs.

[edit] Current season

Main article: York City F.C. season 2006-07

Several of the first team squad members were released at the end of the 2005/06 season. Top goalscorer Andy Bishop left the club in May 2006 to join Bury on a free transfer.[22] Since the end of the season McEwan has rebuilt, signing new players Darren Craddock, Steve Bowey, Craig Farrell, David McGurk (a defender who had been on loan at York three times in the last two years), Anthony Lloyd and Ross Greenwood.

City had mixed fortunes in their pre-season friendlies, losing their first few matches, until they beat Yorkshire rivals Leeds United 2-0.[23] York had an impressive start to the 2006/07 season remaining unbeaten for 5 games, before losing away to Crawley Town 3-0 on September 9, 2006, after goalkeeper Evans was dismissed early on. City continue to be one of the best supported sides in the Conference National, averaging around 2,800 fans at home and 4-500 loyal away fans.

York City only had one first-team goalkeeper following Arran Reid's release by mutual consent,[24] but Richard O'Donnell was signed on loan from Sheffield Wednesday.[25]

York City were given a £2,000 fine from The Football Association for their part in a mass brawl which took place at the end of their match against Woking at KitKat Crescent in December 2006.[26] However, an anonymous supporter paid the full £2,000 for York and another supporter donated £500.[27]

[edit] Colours

Throughout the majority of the clubs history, York City have worn red shirts with white shorts. In the clubs first season (1922-23), maroon shirts were worn, with white shorts and black socks.[4] In the 1930's, York changed their maroon jerseys to chocolate and cream stripes, a reference to the city's association with the confectionary industry.[4] After five years they changed their colours to what were described as "distinctive red shirts", with the official explanation that the striped jerseys clashed with opponents too often.[4]

In June 2003, York City agreed a deal for Nike to provide the clubs kits.[28]

[edit] Stadium

For more details on this topic, see KitKat Crescent.
KitKat Crescent
KitKat Crescent

York City originally played their home games at Fulfordgate between 1921 and 1932.[7] York City purchased the land for Bootham Crescent in Summer 1932, which used to be a cricket ground.[8] This site was chosen as it was closer to the club's centre of support and the railway station than Fulfordgate.[8] Bootham Crescent was converted into a football ground and a main stand was built and a roof was put over the Popular stand.[8] The ground was opened on 31 August 1932.[8] In March 1938, the ground's record attendance was reached as 28,123 people watched York City v Huddersfield Town.[8]

Bootham Crescent was damaged during World War II, when a bomb landed on the Shipton Street End.[8] Shortly after the war ended the terracing was laid properly with concrete, although most of the ground was still uncovered.[8]

Bootham Crescent was fitted with floodlights in 1959.[8] The first game they were used for was a friendly against Newcastle United on 28 October 1959.[8]

During the mid-1980's, £300,000 was spent on a series of improvements to the Bootham Crescent ground.[8] The money for these improvements came from York City's FA Cup run which included games against Arsenal and then Liverpool, as well as a replay against Liverpool in front of a crowd of 43,000.[8] The improvements included building hospitality suites behind the main stand, new club offices, turnstiles, new crush barriers, and more seats added to the Popular Stand, making the total number of seats 2,883 out of a total capacity of 13,185.[8]

The capacity of Bootham Crescent had been 12,475 (3,245 seats), but this was reduced in 1994 because the family area of the Main stand was increased (due to popular demand as well as complying with the recommendations made in the Taylor Report) and 326 seats replaced a standing area resulting in reduced capacity and also stricter rules concerning the density of people standing (as a result of the recommendations made in the Taylor Report after the Hillsborough disaster) further reduced capacity.[8]

New floodlights were installed during Summer 1995, costing £122,000.[8] These floodlights are twice as bright as the original floodlights, and also meet the requirements for Division One football.[8] A new drainage system was installed to improve the quality of the pitch during winter, costing several thousand pounds.[8] A water tower was also installed in the late 1990s.[8]

In January 2005, because a sponsorship deal with Nestlé, Bootham Crescent was renamed KitKat Crescent.[29]

[edit] New stadium

On 4 February 2004 the club's board announced that an agreement had been reached which would see York City remain at Bootham Crescent for the foreseeable future.[8] By then, they must be ready to move to a new ground. It is hoped that the new stadium will not just provide a home for City, but also be used as a concert venue.[30] Part of the Nestlé site could become the new home of York City's new "super stadium", as there are fears a move to the favoured York Central site could be scuppered.[30] The other possible sites are Huntington Stadium and land close to Naburn.[30] York City's stadium manager Ian McAndrew and councillor Bill Woolley gave positive talks on finding a new home for the club.[31] York City's board revealed on February 28, 2007 that the club are hoping the move to a new ground can be completed within five years.[32]

[edit] Supporters

York City have a number of domestic supporters' groups, including Harrogate Minstermen and the Jorvik Reds.

[edit] Records

For more details on this topic, see York City F.C. records.

Barry Jackson holds the record for York City appearences, having played 539 matches.[33] Former defender Andy McMillan comes second, having played 492 matches.[33]

Norman Wilkinson is the club's top goalscorer with 143 goals in all competitions.[34] Wilkinson also holds the club record for goals scored in the League (127) and FA Cup (16).[34]

York City's record home attendance is 28,123, for an FA Cup match against Huddersfield Town on 5 March 1938 at Bootham Crescent.[35]

[edit] Current squad

No. Position Player
1 Flag of England GK Tom Evans
2 Flag of England DF Darren Craddock
3 Flag of England DF Nathan Peat
4 Flag of England MF Neal Bishop
5 Flag of England DF David McGurk
6 Flag of Scotland DF James Dudgeon
7 Flag of England MF Mark Convery
8 Flag of Scotland MF Emmanuel Panther (captain)
9 Flag of England FW Clayton Donaldson
10 Flag of England FW Craig Farrell
11 Flag of England MF Steve Bowey
12 Flag of England DF Anthony Lloyd
No. Position Player
13 Flag of England GK Paddy Gamble (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
14 Flag of England MF Ross Greenwood
15 Flag of England DF Craig James (on loan from Darlington)
17 Flag of England FW Alex Rhodes
18 Flag of England FW Phil Bell (on loan from Whitley Bay)
19 Flag of Hungary DF János Kovács (on loan from Chesterfield)
20 Flag of Wales DF Daniel Parslow
21 Flag of England MF Lewis McMahon
22 Flag of England MF Martyn Woolford
23 Flag of England DF Ben Purkiss (on loan from Gainsborough Trinity)
27 Flag of England FW Richard Brodie
28 Flag of England FW Rob Elvins (on loan from West Bromwich Albion)

[edit] Out on loan

No. Position Player
16 Flag of England DF Darren Hollingsworth (on loan to Whitby Town)

[edit] Current staff

[edit] Management

[edit] Officials

  • Managing Director: Flag of England Jason McGill
  • Director: Flag of England Steve Beck
  • Finance Director: Flag of England Terry Doyle
  • Stadium Development Director: Flag of England Ian McAndrew
  • Director: Flag of England Sophie McGill

[edit] Staff

  • Club Secretary: Flag of England Nick Bassett
  • Commercial General Manager: Flag of England Elliot Stroud
  • Shop Management & Commercial Assistant: Flag of England Louise Jackson
  • Physio: Flag of England Jeff Miller
  • Lottery Manager: Flag of England Sue Chappell
  • Head Groundsman: Flag of England Jez Milner
  • Assistant Groundsman: Flag of England Kevin Russell

[edit] Notable former players

See Also: List of York City F.C. players and Category:York City F.C. players

[edit] Managerial History

See Also: List of York City F.C. managers and Category:York City F.C. managers

[edit] Honours

  • FA Cup
    • Semi-finalists - 1954-55[35]
    • Quarter-finalists - 1937-38

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e YORK CITY{1}. Football Club History Datbase. Retrieved on 2007-03-26.
  2. ^ McGill officially holds the status of Managing Director
  3. ^ a b York City FC: history. BBC North Yorkshire. Retrieved on 2007-03-25.
  4. ^ a b c d York City. HistoricKits.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-03-26.
  5. ^ YORK CITY. Football Club History Database. Retrieved on 2007-03-26.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae Brief History. Red and Blue NET. Retrieved on 2007-03-30.
  7. ^ a b Fulfordgate. soccerbase. Retrieved on 2007-03-30.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s The History of Bootham Crescent. Red and Blue NET. Retrieved on 2007-03-30.
  9. ^ City's Cup History. York City FC. Retrieved on 2007-03-30.
  10. ^ Football: Struggle starts as supporters assume control of York City. Find Articles. Retrieved on 2007-03-26.
  11. ^ a b When City rocked the world. The Press. Retrieved on 2007-03-26.
  12. ^ a b York City v Everton. ToffeeWeb. Retrieved on 2007-03-26.
  13. ^ "Reynolds to York's rescue", BBC Sport, 2002-01-28. Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
  14. ^ "York unveil new owner", BBC Sport, 2002-03-15. Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
  15. ^ "Trust deal inches York to safety", BBC Sport, 2003-03-26. Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
  16. ^ "Dolan shocked at dismissal", BBC Sport, 2003-06-02. Retrieved on 2007-03-23.
  17. ^ "Brass nets York job", BBC Sport, 2003-06-04. Retrieved on 2007-03-23.
  18. ^ "Spread the news on new York City", BBC Sport, 2007-03-28. Retrieved on 2007-03-28.
  19. ^ "York sack Brass after poor start", BBC Sport, 2004-11-08. Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
  20. ^ "Viv Busby leaves York City", BBC North Yorkshire, 2005-02-10. Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
  21. ^ "McEwan in charge as Busby goes", BBC Sport, 2005-02-10. Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
  22. ^ "Shakers boss swoops for York star", BBC Sport, 2006-05-08. Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
  23. ^ York City V Leeds Utd. York City FC. Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
  24. ^ "Reid’s shock exit leaves Billy hunting", The Press, 2007-03-01. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
  25. ^ "York boss brings in two new faces", BBC Sport, 2007-03-02. Retrieved on 2007-03-19.
  26. ^ "FA hammer City", The Press, 2007-03-10. Retrieved on 2007-03-10.
  27. ^ "York City’s £2,000 FA fine paid by benevolent supporter", The Press, 2007-03-24. Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
  28. ^ "Minstermen agree Nike deal", BBC Sport, 2003-06-09. Retrieved on 2007-03-23.
  29. ^ "KitKat Crescent", BBC North Yorkshire, 2005-01-19. Retrieved on 2007-03-26.
  30. ^ a b c "Crunch talks loom over new 'iconic' city stadium", The Press, 2007-02-14. Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
  31. ^ "Stadium move talks praised", The Press, 2007-02-24. Retrieved on 2007-02-24.
  32. ^ "Speed is the essential key for City’s new ground", The Press, 2007-03-01. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
  33. ^ a b Record Appearances for York City. minstermen.net. Retrieved on 2007-03-30.
  34. ^ a b York City´s all-time best Goal-scorers. minstermen.net. Retrieved on 2007-03-30.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h Facts, Records and Statistics. Red and Blue NET. Retrieved on 2007-03-30.

[edit] External links

[edit] General

[edit] Supporters' organisations


York City Football Club
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