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York City Football Club are an English football team founded in 1922 and are based in York. Currently the club is playing in the Conference National.

Although a relatively small club, in the past York City's achievements have included reaching the FA Cup semi-finals in 1955 and six league promotions during its history.

History

Founded in 1922 to play in the Midland League, the club was elected to the national Football League in 1929. They played originally at Fulfordgate, before moving to their present home of Bootham Crescent, in 1932. This ground was rebranded "KitKat Crescent", in late 2004.

The club have spent most of their existence in the lower divisions of the Football League, rising on occasion as far as the old Second Division.

They 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 away drubbing of Manchester United, who went on to win the FA Cup and Premiership double that season.

Good times at York City

York City have never been a particularly successful club, but they have enjoyed good fortunes on a few occasions.

The clubs reputation for "giant killing" 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.*

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. * 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.

During the 1970s they spent two seasons in the Second Division and played against some of the country's most famous clubs, including Manchester United and Aston Villa. 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 thanks to a penalty by Keith Houchen - who in May 1987 scored one of Coventry City's goals against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup final. *

In the 1990s, York City achieved shock victories in the League Cup Second Round two seasons in a row - knocking out Manchester United (eventual Premiership/FA Cup winners) in 1995/96, beating them an impressive 3-0 at Old Trafford, and Everton in 1996/97. They also won the Division Three playoffs in 1993 under Alan Little, who took charge after John Ward left the club to move to Bristol Rovers. They also qualified for the Division Two playoffs a year later, but missed out on the chance of a second successive promotion by losing to Stockport County in the semi finals.

Financial difficulties

During the early 2000s York City struggled both on and off the pitch. In 2001, financial difficulties placed the club under threat of liquidation. Long-time chairman Douglas Craig announced in December of that year, that unless a new owner was found before April 1 2002, City would be resign from the football league.

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. Honda Integrity Racing Team owner, John Batchelor took over from Craig as the new chairman. Batchelor promised the club much, but after more financial controversy regarding funds promised to City which went undelivered, a loyal group of York City supporters formed the “Supporters’ Trust” stepped in to save the club and took over in 2003.

Recent times

York City's six-year stay in Division Two ended when they were relegated in 1999, and manager Alan Little was sacked after nearly seven years in charge. His successor Neil Thompson lasted just one season, in which York struggled near the foot of Division Three, and Thompson's successor Terry Dolan had little success in his three-year reign.

Chris Brass, a 27-year-old defender, became the youngest-ever manager in league football when he became player-manager of York City in May 2003. 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.

Things got worse the next season, as the side got through three managers (Brass was sacked in November, Viv Busby spent four months in charge and was then replaced by Billy McEwan) and 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.

The 2005/06 season looked more promising for York, as Scottish manager; Billy McEwan, started to see the rewards of an intelligent transfer policy and adventurous tactics. Eventually, York City finished in 8th place in the Conference in the 2005/06 season, narrowly missing out on the playoffs.

Current season

The current team boasts a multitude of talented faces who have joined in recent years, including Clayton Donaldson, released from Hull City, and the wonderfully named Emmanuel Panther from north of the Border at Partick Thistle.

First team squad members Chris Porter, David Stockdale, Mark Hotte, Joe O'Neill and David Merris were all released by the team at the end of the 2005/06 season. Midfielder Darren Dunning rejected a new contract and also became a free agent. Top goalscorer Andy Bishop left the club in May 2006 to join Bury. Since the end of the season four new players have joined the club; Darren Craddock, Steve Bowey, Craig Farrell, a striker who spent last season at Exeter City, and David McGurk, a defender who had been on loan at York three times in the last two years.

Squad

2006/07 Season Transfers

In

Out - Free - Free

Honours and Club Records

  • FA Cup
    • Semi-finalists - 1954-55
    • Quarter-finalists - 1937/38

Notable former players

External links

York City F.C. | English football clubs | Football Conference | Sport in North Yorkshire | York

York City Football Club | York City FC | York City F.C.

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "York City F.C.".

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