York City

York City is a football (soccer) club from England.

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York City Football Club is an English football (soccer) club based in York, North Yorkshire. York City 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. York City briefly rose as high as the second tier of English football, spending two seasons in the Football League Second Division in the 1970s. At the end of the 2003–04 in English football season York City lost their League status when they were Promotion and relegation from the Football League 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 in English football Football League Cup, York beat Manchester United F.C. 3–0 at Old Trafford (football ground); Manchester United went on to win the FA Cup and Premier League The Double England that season. Also, in the FA Cup, they beat Arsenal F.C., as well as holding Liverpool F.C. to a draw on two occasions. York made an appearance at Wembley Stadium (1923) in 1993, when they defeated Crewe Alexandra F.C. in a play-off final. They reached the final of the FA Trophy in 2009, but were defeated 2–0 by Stevenage Borough F.C. at the new Wembley Stadium.

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.

History

York City Football Club was first founded in 1908 as an amateur side, although some sources state the roots of York City can be traced as far back as 1897 when the York Football League was formed. York City joined the Northern League (football) in 1908, but left after two seasons to form the Yorkshire Combination (a proto-Yorkshire Football League). York City turned professional in 1912 and joined the Midland Football League, where they played for three seasons, rising as high as tenth position. They played their final season in 1914–15 in English football before folding in 1917 during the World War I.
York City was re-founded in 1922 by members of the former club. They founded a limited company and gained admission to the Midland League, where York City played in for seven seasons, achieving a highest finish of sixth, in both 1924–25 in English football and 1926–27 in English football. York were elected to play in the the Football League in 1929, and spent the following 22 seasons in the Football League Third Division North, from 1929–30 in English football to 1957–58 in English football. They met Huddersfield Town F.C. in the quarter-finals and drew 0–0, before losing the replay (sports) 2–1 at Leeds Road, Huddersfield. The club's longest cup run came when they reached the FA Cup semi-final in the 1954–55 in English football season, a campaign in which Arthur Bottom scored eight goals, and York City eliminated a Blackpool F.C. side featuring Stanley Matthews.

In 1958, York became founding members of the Football League Fourth Division, as the Third Divisions North and Football League Third Division 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 difference, and were promoted to the Football League Third Division in third place, but were relegated back after just one season. A second promotion in 1964–65 in English football, again in third place in the Fourth Division, saw a similar instant relegation back from the Third Division the next season. York's record of promotion every six years was maintained by a team sporting the future England national football team forward Phil Boyer in 1970–71 in English football, and this time York City managed to stay in the Third Division, albeit only on goal average in both the next two seasons.

After these two seasons York City hit form in the 1973–74 in English football season, when "three up, three down" promotion and relegation was introduced to the Football League. After being among the leaders all season York were eventually promoted to the Football League Second Division in third place. 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, York City dropped further still, into the Fourth Division in the 1976–77 in English football season after finishing bottom of the Third Division. In the 1981–82 in English football season, York failed to win in 12 home games, a club record, and lost to non-League side Altrincham F.C. in the FA Cup. In the 1983–84 in English football season, York won the Fourth Division with 101 points, becoming the first team to reach 100 points in the Football League. In January 1985, York recorded a victory over First Division Arsenal F.C. in the fourth round of the FA Cup after winning 1–0 at KitKat Crescent, courtesy of an 89th minute penalty kick scored by Keith Houchen. York proceeded to draw 1–1 with Liverpool F.C. at Bootham Crescent on 16 February 1985, but lost 7–0 in the replay at Anfield; York's record cup defeat.

In 1993 York ended a five year spell in the Third Division by gaining promotion to the Second Division via the play-offs, beating Crewe Alexandra F.C. in a penalty shootout in the 1993 Football League Third Division play-off Final at Wembley Stadium (1923). York stayed in the Second Division for six seasons, during which they reached the play-offs in their first season, but lost to Stockport County F.C. in the semi-final. Although United had fielded five fringe players in the first leg, their full first team was unable to overcome the deficit at Bootham Crescent in front of a 9,386 crowd. They drew the first leg 1–1 at Goodison Park, but won the second leg 3–2 at Bootham Crescent.
In December 2001, long-serving chairman Douglas Craig put York City and its ground up for sale for £4.5 million, announcing that unless a new owner was found before 1 April 2002, York City would be withdrawn from the Football League. Team B&Q racing driver and team owner John Batchelor (racing) took over as chairman in March 2002. Batchelor promised York City he would purchase the ground, give the York City Supporters' trust 24% of the shares and would invite two supporters onto the board, but after these promises all went undelivered, the Supporters’ Trust took control of York City in 2003.
York failed to win any of their final 20 league fixtures in the 2003–04 in English football season and were relegated to the Football Conference after 75 years of League membership. This was followed by the sacking of manager Chris Brass in November 2004, who was eventually succeeded by Billy McEwan (footballer born 1951), who led York City to a 17th place finish during their first season in the Conference. York finished in eighth place in the 2005–06 in English football season, missing out on the play-offs. The following season, York reached the play-off semi-finals, where they were beaten by Morecambe F.C.. McEwan was sacked after a poor start to the 2007–08 in English football season, with Colin Walker (footballer born 1958), his assistant, being placed as caretaker manager. He was eventually given the role on a permanent basis and York City finished the season in 14th place in the Conference, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the FA Trophy. In November 2008, Walker was sacked, with former Port Vale F.C. manager Martin Foyle being appointed as his successor. York City only escaped relegation towards the end of the season, after a 2–1 win over Weymouth F.C..

Colours and crest

Throughout the majority of the history of the club, York City have worn red shirts with white shorts. However, in York City's first season, 1922–23 in English football, 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 Football League Second Division in 1974, a bold white "Y" was added to the team's shirts, which became known as the "Y-fronts". Red shirts returned in 1978, along with navy shorts. In 2004, York City dropped navy from the kits and instead used plain red and white, For the 2007–08 in English football season, York City brought in a third kit in the form of a light blue shirt and socks, with maroon shorts. A kit with a purple shirt was introduced for a one-off appearance in the FA Trophy final in 2009.
York City originally had a crest which depicted the York Minster and a White Rose of York. This was replaced in the 1970s, when York City switched to a Y-shaped logo which featured on the front of the shirts. Pryers Solicitors agreed a deal to sponsor York's shirts ahead of the 2009–10 in English football season.

Stadia

Between 1922 and 1932, York City played their home games at Fulfordgate. York purchased the land for KitKat Crescent, a former cricket ground, in the summer of 1932, as it was closer to York City's centre of support and the York 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 F.C..

The ground was damaged during the World War II when a bomb landed on housing at 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 F.C. on 28 October 1959. In January 2005, following a sponsorship deal with Nestlé, Bootham Crescent was renamed Kit Kat Crescent. The ground currently holds a capacity of 9,196. 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. It is to be built on either the British Sugar factory site, York Central or land north of the Nestlé complex.

The new stadium would be similar to Princes Park, Dartford of Dartford F.C., but would hold a larger capacity. Steve Galloway, the leader of the City of York Council at the time, 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. York City has a number of domestic supporters' groups, including the Harrogate Minstermen and the ultras group Jorvik Reds, whose displays during matches were restricted by York City as they felt their “trust has been abused” by the group. The York Nomad Society is the hooligan firm associated with the club. 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 York City for unreasonable behaviour.

For home games, York City produces an official match programme, entitled "City Review", which consists of 44 pages and is sold for £3. York City had also been the subject of an independent supporters' fanzine, Ginner's Left Foot, which was launched in February 2002. York City mascot is a lion named Yorkie the Lion and is known for performing "comic antics" before matches. John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, became the patronage of York City for the 2007–08 in English football season, after purchasing a season ticket.

The 2003 Football Fans Census revealed that no other team's supporters considered York to be among their club's main rivals. Traditionally, York's two main rivalries have been with Hull City A.F.C. and Scarborough F.C.. who were York City nearest to York while in the Conference, before being demoted from the league in 2008.

Statistics and records

Barry Jackson (footballer) holds the record for York City appearances, having played 539 matches. Former defender Andy McMillan comes second, having played 492 matches. Wilkinson also holds York City record for goals scored in the league (127) and FA Cup (16).

York City's record home attendance is 28,123, for an FA Cup match against Huddersfield Town F.C. on 5 March 1938 at KitKat Crescent.

Players

Notable former players

Clubmen of the Year

Managers

Honours

York City's honours include the following:

Altrincham Football Club, Boston United, Bradford Park Avenue, Burton Albion Football Club, Cambridge United, Crawley Town Football Club, Darwen, Eastbourne Borough Football Club, Ebbsfleet United Football Club, Exeter City, Forest Green Rovers Football Club, Glossop, Grays Athletic Football Club, Halifax Town, Histon Football Club, Kettering Town Football Club, Kidderminster Harriers, Lewes Football Club, Mansfield Town, Milton Keynes Dons, Northwich Victoria Football Club, Oxford United, Rushden and Diamonds, Salisbury City Football Club, Stevenage Borough Football Club, Torquay United, Weymouth Football Club, Woking Football Club, Wrexham, York City