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'York City Football Club' is an English football club based in York. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined The Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions. The club briefly rose as high as the second tier of English football, spending two seasons in the Second Division in the 1970s. At the end of the 2003–04 season the club lost their League status when they were relegated from the Third Division, and have since remained in the Conference.
York have enjoyed more success in cup competitions than in the league, with highlights including an FA Cup semi-final appearance in 1955. In the 1995–96 Coca-Cola Cup, York beat Manchester United 3–0 at Old Trafford; Manchester United went on to win the FA Cup and Premiership double that season.
York play their home games at KitKat Crescent in York. This stadium was formerly known as Bootham Crescent, but was renamed KitKat Crescent as part of a sponsorship deal with Nestlé, whose confectionery factory, formerly known as Rowntree's, is one of the city's largest employers.

Contents

History

Crest

Colours

Stadia

New stadium

Supporters and rivalries

Statistics and records

Sponsors

Players

Current squad

Notable former players

Managers

Current staff

Management

Officials

Honours

Notes

References

External links

History

:''For information on the current season, see York City F.C. season 2007-08''
York City Football Club was first founded in 1908 as an amateur side,^[1] although some sources state the roots of the club can be traced as far back as 1897 when the York and District League was formed.^[2] The club joined the Northern League in 1908, but left after two seasons to form the Yorkshire Combination (a proto-Yorkshire League). The club turned professional in 1912 and joined the Midland League, where they played for three seasons, rising as high as tenth position. They played their final season in 1914–15 before folding in 1917 during the First World War.^[3]

The club was re-founded in 1922 by members of the former club. These members founded a limited company and gained admission to the Midland League where they played in for seven seasons, achieving a highest finish of sixth, in both 1924–25 and 1926–27.^[4][5] York were elected to the Football League in 1929,^[6] and spent the following 22 seasons in Division Three North, from 1929–30 to 1957–58. The club ended the majority of seasons in the bottom half of the table until the 1950s, when they reached fourth in both the 1952–53 and 1954–55 seasons.
The club fared better in cup competitions and built a reputation for "''giant killing''",^[7] the earliest example being in the 1937–38 season FA Cup tournament, when the club, then playing in the Third Division, managed to knock out First Division West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough. They met Huddersfield Town in the quarter-finals which was drawn 0–0, before losing the replay 2–1 at Leeds Road. The club's longest cup run came when they reached the FA Cup semi-final in the 1954–55 season, a campaign in which Arthur Bottom scored eight goals for the club, and the team eliminated a Blackpool side featuring Stanley Matthews.^[2] In the semi-final, York drew 1–1 with Newcastle United, taking the tie to a replay, in which City were defeated 2–0.
In 1958, York became founding members of the Fourth Division, as the Third Divisions North and South were restructured into new Third and Fourth divisions, based on league positions at the end of the 1957–58 season. They missed out on the runner-up spot in the inaugural season only on goal average, and were promoted to the Third Division in third place, Final 1958/1959 English Division 4 Table but were relegated back after just one season. Final 1959/1960 English Division 3 (old) Table A second promotion in 1964–65, again in third place in the Fourth Division, Final 1964/1965 English Division 4 Table saw a similar instant relegation back from the Third Division the next season. Final 1965/1966 English Division 3 (old) Table York's record of promotion every six years was maintained by a team sporting the future England forward Phil Boyer in 1970–71, Final 1970/1971 English Division 4 Table ^[9] and this time the team managed to stay in the Third Division, albeit only on goal average in both the next two seasons. Final 1971/1972 English Division 3 (old) Table Final 1972/1973 English Division 3 (old) Table
After these two seasons the team hit form in the 1973–74 season, when "three up, three down" promotion and relegation was introduced to the Football League. After being among the leaders all season York City were eventually promoted to Division Two in third place. Their first season in the Second Division saw York finish in their highest ever league position, 15th place. On March 29, 1975, they played in front of the highest ever League crowd to see them – 46,802 at Old Trafford in a 2–1 defeat to Manchester United. The following season York finished in 21st place in the Second Division and were relegated back to the Third Division. Under former Manchester United manager Wilf McGuinness, the club dropped further still, into Division Four in the 1976–77 season after finishing bottom of the Third Division. 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. 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.^[10] 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, courtesy of a penalty from Keith Houchen.^[11] York proceeded to draw 1–1 with Liverpool at Bootham Crescent on 16 February 1985, but lost 7–0 in the replay at Anfield, York's record cup defeat.

City players celebrate after scoring against Everton in 1996.

In 1993 York ended a five year spell in the Third Division by gaining promotion to the Second Division via the playoffs, beating Crewe Alexandra on penalties in the final at Wembley Stadium.^[12] York stayed in the Second Division for six seasons, during which they reached the playoffs in their first season, but lost to Stockport County in the semi-finals.
York recorded a shock victory in the 1995–96 League Cup Second Round, when they beat Manchester United 3–0 at Old Trafford.^[13] York then went on to beat Everton in the Second Round of the League Cup the following season in 1996. They drew the first leg 1–1 at Goodison Park, but won the second leg 3–2 at Bootham Crescent.^[14]

Chris Brass hugs Viv Busby after a win for York City in 2004.

In December 2001, long-serving chairman Douglas Craig put the club and its ground up for sale for £4.5 million, announcing that unless a new owner was found before April 1, 2002, York City would be withdrawn from the Football League.^[15] Team B&Q racing driver and team owner John Batchelor took over as chairman in March 2002.^[16] Batchelor promised the club he would buy the ground, give the trust 24% of the shares and would invite two supporters onto the board, but after these promises all went undelivered,^[17] a group of York supporters formed the ''Supporters’ Trust'' who took control of the club in 2003.^[18]
York failed to win any of their final 20 league fixtures in the 2003–04 season and were relegated to the Conference after 75 years of league membership. This was followed by the sacking of manager Chris Brass in November 2004.^[19] Billy McEwan eventually succeeded Brass,^[20] and led the team to 17th place during their first season in the Conference. Final 2004/2005 Football Conference Table York finished in 8th place in the 2005–06 season, Final 2005/2006 Football Conference Table missing out on the playoffs. The following season, York reached the play-off semi-finals, where they were beaten by Morecambe.^[21]

Crest

York City crest: 1978–2002.

York City originally had a crest which depicted the York Minster and a White Rose of York. This was replaced in the 1970s, when the club switched to a Y-shaped logo which featured on the front of the shirts.^[22]
In 1978 a new crest was introduced by York City, which depicted the Bootham Bar, two red lions and the club name. When John Batchelor took over as chairman of the club in 2002, the crest was replaced by one showing the club's new name of "York City Soccer Club".
After Batchelor's time in charge, the club name returned to "Football Club" and a new logo was introduced. The design for this logo was selected following a competition featured in York's Evening Press newspaper. This logo is still used by the club and shows five lions, four blue on a white background and one white on a red background.

Colours

Throughout the majority of the history of the club, York City have worn red shirts with white shorts. However, in the club's first season, 1922–23, maroon shirts were worn, with white shorts and black socks. Moreover, in the 1930s, York changed their maroon jerseys to chocolate and cream stripes, a reference to the city's association with the confectionery industry. 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. To mark York's promotion to the Second Division in 1974, a bold white "Y" was added to the teams shirts, with the club coming to be referred to as the "Y-fronts". In 1979, red shirts returned, along with navy shorts.
In June 2003, York City agreed a deal for Nike to provide the club's kits.^[23] Since 2004, the club has dropped navy from the kits and instead use plain red and white. Though a sizeable proportion of the fans are unhappy with the navy being dropped.
Currently the club have also brought in a third kit in the form of a light blue shirt and socks, with maroon shorts. In pre-season friendlies it has been used in place of the usual away kit.^[24]

Stadia

KitKat Crescent in 2007.

Between 1921 and 1932 York City played their home games at Fulfordgate.^[25] York purchased the land for Bootham Crescent, a former cricket ground, in summer 1932, as it was closer to the club's centre of support and the railway station than Fulfordgate. Bootham Crescent was converted into a football ground; a main stand was built and a roof was erected above the Popular stand. The ground opened on 31 August 1932. In March 1938, the ground's record attendance was set when 28,123 people watched York City play Huddersfield Town.^[26]
Bootham Crescent was damaged during World War II when a bomb landed on the Shipton Street End, but shortly after the war ended, the terracing was laid properly with concrete. At this point most of the ground was still uncovered. The stadium was fitted with floodlights in 1959, which were used for the first time in a friendly against Newcastle United on 28 October, 1959.
During the mid-1980s, £300,000 was spent on a series of improvements to the Bootham Crescent ground, which was funded by money generated during York City's FA Cup run in the 1984–85 season, which included games against Arsenal and then Liverpool, including a replay at Liverpool in front of a crowd of 43,000. The improvements included building hospitality suites behind the main stand, new club offices, turnstiles, new crush barriers, and the addition of more seats to the Popular Stand, giving a seating capacity of 2,883 seats out of a total capacity of 13,185.
The capacity of Bootham Crescent had at one time been 12,475, with 3,245 seats, but this was reduced in 1994 because of an increase to the family area of the Main stand due to popular demand, and alterations to enable the ground to comply with the recommendations made in the Taylor Report. It saw 326 seats replacing a standing area, reducing capacity. Stricter rules concerning the density of people standing resulting from the Taylor Report further reduced capacity.
New floodlights were installed during the summer of 1995, costing £122,000. These floodlights are twice as bright as the original floodlights, and meet the requirements for Division One football. A drainage system was installed to improve the quality of the pitch during winter, costing several thousand pounds. A water tower was also installed in the late 1990s.
York had planned a move to Huntington Stadium in 2003, but withdrew their application as they were given a loan of £2 million from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, which secured the purchase of Bootham Crescent.^[27] In January 2005, following a sponsorship deal with Nestlé, Bootham Crescent was renamed KitKat Crescent.^[28] The ground currently holds a capacity of 9,034.

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 until 2015. York's board revealed in February 2007 that the club are hoping the move to a new ground can be completed within five years.^[29] It is hoped that the new stadium will not just provide a home for York City, but can also be used as a concert venue.^[30] It is to be built on either the British Sugar factory site, York Central or land north of the Nestlé complex.^[31]
The new stadium will be similar to Princes Park of Dartford FC, but will hold a larger capacity. Steve Galloway, City of York Council leader, said his aspiration was for a 10,000-seater stadium to be built, which would be home to both York City and York City Knights, although, speaking at the launch of his party's election manifesto on 3 April, 2007, he said it may be smaller initially, at 6,000 or 7,000 seats.

Supporters and rivalries

York City is one of the best supported clubs in the Conference National, with an average home attendance of 3,054 for the 2006–07 season.^[32] The club has a number of domestic supporters' groups, including Harrogate Minstermen and the Jorvik Reds, the latter of which is more recent and display a large "Come On City" banner during York matches.^[33] The York Nomad Society is the hooligan firm associated with the club.^[34] Like some other professional football clubs in England, York City has a small number of fans who have had Banning Orders placed on them by the club for unreasonable behaviour.^[35][35]
For home games, the club produces an "Official Match programme", which consists of 48 pages and is sold for £2.50. The club is also the subject of an independent supporters' fanzine, ''Ginner's Left Foot'', which was launched in February 2002.^[37] Dr. John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, became the patron to York City for the 2007–08 season, after purchasing a season ticket in May 2007.^[38]
Traditionally, York City's two main rivalries have been with Scarborough and Hull City.^[39] The rivalry between Hull and York is represented by a battle between lion (York City's mascot) and tiger (Hull City's mascot), in recent times the clubs have played in different league and so it has not been as intense. To a lesser extent there are also local rivalries with Doncaster Rovers, Darlington, Hartlepool United and more recently one with Greater Manchester side Bury.

Statistics and records

Barry Jackson holds the record for York City appearances, having played 539 matches. Former defender Andy McMillan comes second, having played 492 matches. The record for a goalkeeper is held by Tommy Forgan, with 428 appearances.^[40] Norman Wilkinson is the club's top goalscorer with 143 goals in all competitions. Wilkinson also holds the club record for goals scored in the League (127) and FA Cup (16).^[41]
The club's widest victory margin in the league was their 9–1 win against Southport in the Division Three North in 1957. Their heaviest defeat in the league was 12–0 against Chester City in 1936.^[42]
York City's record home attendance is 28,123, for an FA Cup match against Huddersfield Town on 5 March 1938 at Bootham Crescent. With the introduction of regulations enforcing all-seater stadiums, it is unlikely that this record will be beaten in the foreseeable future.
The highest transfer fee received for a York City player is £1 million, from Manchester United for Jonathan Greening in March 1998, while the most spent by the club on a player was £140,000 for Adrian Randall from Burnley in December 1995.

Sponsors

:''As of 21 July 2007.''

Years	Sponsors
1982–1984	Cussins & Light Ltd.
1984–1985	Cameron's
1985–1990	Hansa
1990–1991	Flamingo Land
1991–2001	Portakabin
2001–2003	Evening Press
2003–2004	Phoenix Software
2006–present	CLP

Players

:''As of 8 September, 2007.''^[43]

Current squad

Notable former players

'Clubman Of The Year'

Year Winner 1973–74 Phil Burrows 1974–75 Chris Topping 1975–76 Micky Cave 1976–77 Brian Pollard 1977–78 Gordon Staniforth 1978–79 Gordon Staniforth 1979–80 Ian McDonald 1980–81 Eddie Blackburn 1981–82 Keith Walwyn 1982–83 Derek Hood 1983–84 John MacPhail 1984–85 John MacPhail 1985–86 Simon Mills 1986–87 Keith Walwyn 1987–88 Dale Banton 1988–89 Ian Helliwell 1989–90 Chris Marples

Year Winner 1990–91 Steve Tutill 1991–92 Jon McCarthy 1992–93 Paul Stancliffe 1993–94 Paul Barnes 1994–95 Jon McCarthy 1995–96 Andy McMillan 1996–97 Tony Barras 1997–98 Steve Bushell 1998–99 Barry Jones 1999–00 Barry Jones 2000–01 Alan Fettis 2001–02 Alan Fettis 2002–03 Chris Brass 2003–04 Darren Dunning 2004–05 Dave Merris 2005–06 Clayton Donaldson 2006–07 Neal Bishop

Managers

Billy McEwan, manager of York City since 2005.

:''As of 8 September, 2007. Only professional, competitive matches are counted.''^[44]

Name	Nat	Managerial Tenure	G	W	D	L	Win %
John Collier		July 1928–May 1930	47	17	18	12	36.17
George Sherrington		May 1930–May 1933	130	50	21	59	38.46
John Collier		May 1933–March 1937	168	58	38	72	34.52
Tom Mitchell		March 1937–February 1950	277	95	64	118	34.29
Dick Duckworth		March 1950–October 1952	126	40	42	44	31.74
Charlie Spencer		November 1952–February 1953	13	5	3	5	38.46
Jimmy McCormick		June 1953–September 1954	51	14	13	24	27.45
Sam Bartram		March 1956–July 1960	211	85	56	70	40.28
Tom Lockie		July 1960–October 1967	367	132	81	154	35.96
Joe Shaw		November 1967–August 1968	31	9	9	13	29.03
Tom Johnston		October 1968–January 1975	295	106	84	105	35.93
Wilf McGuinness		February 1975–October 1977	120	27	30	63	22.50
Charlie Wright		November 1977–March 1980	114	36	28	50	31.57
Barry Lyons		March 1980–December 1981	72	21	14	37	29.16
Kevin Randall		December 1981–March 1982	12	1	4	7	8.33
Denis Smith		May 1982–June 1987	258	120	59	79	46.51
Bobby Saxton		June 1987–September 1988	62	11	15	36	17.74
John Bird		October 1988–October 1991	155	46	48	61	29.67
John Ward		October 1991–March 1993	70	22	24	24	31.42
Alan Little		March 1993–March 1999	318	108	88	122	33.96
Neil Thompson		March 1999–February 2000	45	11	11	23	24.44
Terry Dolan		February 2000–May 2003	173	56	50	67	32.36
Chris Brass		June 2003–November 2004	67	14	18	35	20.89
Viv Busby		November 2004–February 2005	14	4	2	8	28.57
Billy McEwan		February 2005–''Present''	118	46	30	42	39.98

Current staff

:''As of 20 July 2007.''^[45]

Management

★ Manager: Billy McEwan

★ Reserve team coach: Colin Walker

★ Youth coach: Ian Kerr

Officials

★ Managing Director: Jason McGill

★ Director: Steve Beck

★ Finance Director: Terry Doyle

★ Stadium Development Director: Ian McAndrew

★ Communications Director: Sophie McGill

★ Club Secretary: Nick Bassett

★ Commercial General Manager: Elliot Stroud

★ Commercial Assistant: Louise Jackson

Honours

Honour	Year(s)
Football League Second Division Play-off Semi-finalists	1993–94
Football League Third Division Promoted	1973–74
Football League Third Division Play-off Winners	1992–93
Football League Fourth Division Champions	1983–84
Football League Fourth Division Promoted	1958–59, 1964–65, 1970–71
Conference National Play-off Semi-finalists	2006–07
FA Cup Semi-finalists	1954–55
FA Cup Quarter-finalists	1937–38
League Cup Quarter-finalists	1961–62

Notes

1. York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990, , Dave, Batters, The Breedon Books Publishing Company Limited, 1990,
2. York City FC: history
3. {{cite web
| title = YORK CITY{1}
| url = http://www.fchd.info/YORKC-1.HTM
| publisher = Football Club History Database
| accessdate = 2007-07-04}}
4. York City
5. YORK CITY
6. Brief History
7. City's Cup History
8. York City FC: history
9. Phil Boyer
10. Football League points records
11. York 1 Arsenal 0
12. League Two Play-Off - Final
13. When City rocked the world
14. York City v Everton
15. Reynolds to York's rescue
16. York unveil new owner
17. This is our club!
18. Trust deal inches York to safety
19. York sack Brass after poor start
20. McEwan in charge as Busby goes
21. Morecambe 2-1 York (2-1 agg)
22. YCFC Kit guide
23. Minstermen agree Nike deal
24. City Launch New Third Kit
25. Fulfordgate
26. The History of Bootham Crescent
27. Spread the news on new York City
28. KitKat Crescent
29. Speed is the essential key for City’s new ground
30. Crunch talks loom over new 'iconic' city stadium
31. York City FC on verge of stadium deal
32. Bootham Crescent
33. Jorvik Reds
34. Hooligan Firms
35. Football Banning Orders by club supported (10 October 2006)
36. Football Banning Orders by club supported (10 October 2006)
37. Club Guide
38. Minster Man Becomes York City’s Patron
39.
40. Record Appearances for York City
41. York City's all-time best Goal-scorers
42. Facts, Records and Statistics
43. York City
44.
45. Fact file

References

★ York City Football Club, Batters, David, , , Tempus Publishing, 2000, ISBN 0-7524-1568-9

External links

★ York City Official Site

★