<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<document>
<title>York City F.C.</title>
<authors>Wikipedia</authors>
<publisher>wikipedia.org</publisher>
<publishedplace>network</publishedplace>
<publishedyear>2010</publishedyear>
<edition></edition>
<category>North Yorkshire football clubs</category>
<section id="22374" fatherid="0" title="" lv="" priority="-1" level="1">
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. 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 League Cup, York beat Manchester United 3–0 at Old Trafford; Manchester United went on to win the FA Cup and FA Premier League double that season. Also, in the FA Cup, they beat Arsenal, as well as holding Liverpool to a draw on two occasions. York made an appearance at Wembley Stadium in 1993, when they defeated Crewe Alexandra in a play-off final. They reached the final of the FA Trophy in 2009, but were defeated 2–0 by Stevenage Borough at the new Wembley Stadium.
York play their home games at Bootham Crescent in York. The stadium was known as KitKat Crescent as part of a sponsorship deal with Nestlé from 2005 to 2010.

</section>
<section id="22375" fatherid="0" title="History" lv="" priority="-2" level="1">
York City Football Club was first founded in 1908 as an amateur side, 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. The club joined the Northern League in 1908, but  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.
The club was re-founded in 1922 by members of the former club. They founded a limited company and gained admission to the Midland League, where the team played in for seven seasons, achieving a highest finish of sixth, in both 1924–25 and 1926–27. York were elected to play in the the Football League in 1929, and spent the following 22 seasons in the Third Division 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", the earliest example being in the 1937–38 season FA Cup tournament, when the team, then playing in the Third Division North, managed to knock out First Division West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough. They met Huddersfield Town in the quarter-finals and drew 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, and the team eliminated a Blackpool side featuring Stanley Matthews. 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, but were relegated back after just one season. A second promotion in 1964–65, 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 forward Phil Boyer in 1970–71, and this time the team managed to stay in the Third Division, albeit only on goal average in both the next two seasons.
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 were eventually promoted to the Second Division in third place. Their first season in the Second Division saw York finish in their highest ever league position, 15th place. On 29 March 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 the Fourth Division 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 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 in the fourth round of the FA Cup after winning 1–0 at Bootham Crescent, courtesy of an 89th minute penalty kick scored by Keith Houchen. 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. The team's met again the following season and after another 1–1 at Bootham Crescent, Liverpool won 3–1 in the replay after extra time at Anfield.
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 in a penalty shootout in the final at Wembley Stadium. 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 in the semi-final.
York recorded a shock victory in the 1995–96 League Cup second round, when they beat Manchester United 4–3 on aggregate, including a 3–0 win in the first leg at Old Trafford. 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. 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.
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 1 April 2002, York City would be withdrawn from the Football League. Team B-anddocsymbol-Q racing driver and team owner John Batchelor took over as chairman in March 2002. Batchelor promised the club 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 the club in 2003.
York failed to win any of their final 20 league fixtures in the 2003–04 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, who led the team to a 17th place finish during their first season in the Conference. York finished in eighth place in the 2005–06 season, missing out on the play-offs. The following season, York reached the play-off semi-finals, where they were beaten by Morecambe. McEwan was sacked after a poor start to the 2007–08 season, with Colin Walker, his assistant, being placed as caretaker manager. He was eventually given the role on a permanent basis and the team 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 manager Martin Foyle being appointed as his successor. York participated in the FA Trophy final in the 2008–09 season, where they were defeated 2–0 by Stevenage Borough at the new Wembley Stadium. The club only escaped relegation towards the end of the season, after a 2–1 win over Weymouth.

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<section id="22376" fatherid="0" title="Colours and crest" lv="" priority="3" level="1">
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 team's shirts, which became known as the "Y-fronts". Red shirts returned in 1978, along with navy shorts.
In June 2003, York City agreed a deal for Nike to provide the club's kits. In 2004, the club dropped navy from the kits and instead used plain red and white, until the 2008–09 season, when a kit mostly of blue was introduced. For the 2007–08 season, the club 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 the club switched to a Y-shaped logo which featured on the front of the shirts. A new crest was introduced in 1978, which depicted the Bootham Bar, two lions and the club name in all-white and in 1982 this was changed into a coloured version.
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 period at the club, the name returned to "Football Club" and a new logo was introduced. This was selected following a competition featured in York's Evening Press newspaper. The badge has some similarities to the coat of arms of York; it features five lions, four of which are navy blue and are placed on a white "Y" shaped background. The rest of the background is red with the fifth lion in white, placed between the top part of the "Y".
The first sponsor to appear on York shirts was Cussins -anddocsymbol- Light Ltd., a commercial property leasing company based in York, who sponsored the club from 1982 to 1984. Subsequent sponsors have been Cameron's (1984 to 1985), Hansa (1985 to 1990), Flamingo Land (1990 to 1991), Portakabin (1991 to 2001), Evening Press (2001 to 2003), Phoenix Software (2003 to 2005) and CLP Industries (2005 to 2009). Pryers Solicitors agreed a deal to sponsor York's shirts ahead of the 2009–10 season.

</section>
<section id="22377" fatherid="0" title="Stadia" lv="" priority="4" level="1">
<section id="22378" fatherid="22377" title="" lv="" priority="-1" level="2">
Between 1922 and 1932, York City played their home games at Fulfordgate. York purchased the land for Bootham Crescent, a former cricket ground, in the summer of 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.
The ground was damaged during the Second World War 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 on 28 October 1959.
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 b 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. In January 2005, following a sponsorship deal with Nestlé, Bootham Crescent was renamed KitKat Crescent. The ground currently holds a capacity of 9,196.

</section>
<section id="22379" fatherid="22377" title="New stadium" lv="" priority="2" level="2">
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. 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 of Dartford, 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.

</section>
</section>
<section id="22380" fatherid="0" title="Supporters and rivalries" lv="" priority="5" level="1">
York City is one of the better supported clubs in the Conference National, with an average home attendance of 2,286 for the 2008–09 season. The club has a number of domestic supporters' groups, including the Harrogate Minstermen and the ultras group Jorvik Reds, whose displays during matches were restricted by the club 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 the club for unreasonable behaviour.
For home games, the club produces an official match programme, entitled "City Review", which consists of 44 pages and is sold for £3.  The club had also been the subject of an independent supporters' fanzine, Ginner's Left Foot, which was launched in February 2002. The club 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 patron of York City for the 2007–08 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 and Scarborough. While York fans saw Hull as their main rival, this was not reciprocated by the East Yorkshire club, who themselves saw Leeds United as their main rival. York have also held a local rivalry with Halifax Town, who were the team nearest to York while in the Conference, before being demoted from the league in 2008.

</section>
<section id="22381" fatherid="0" title="Statistics and records" lv="" priority="-6" level="1">
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. 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).
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.
York City's record home attendance is 28,123, for an FA Cup match against Huddersfield Town on 5 March 1938 at Bootham Crescent.
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.
The club set a new English record after 25 consecutive penalties were scored in their FA Trophy tie with Kidderminster Harriers on 11 February 2009.

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<section id="22382" fatherid="0" title="Players" lv="" priority="-7" level="1">
<section id="22383" fatherid="22382" title="" lv="" priority="-1" level="2">
As of 1 February 2010.York City F.C. programme, v. Corby Town F.C., 30 January 2010, p.44
</section>
<section id="22384" fatherid="22382" title="Current squad" lv="" priority="-2" level="2">
</section>
<section id="22385" fatherid="22382" title="Out on loan" lv="" priority="-3" level="2">
</section>
<section id="22386" fatherid="22382" title="Notable former players" lv="" priority="-4" level="2">
</section>
<section id="22387" fatherid="22382" title="Clubmen of the Year" lv="" priority="-5" level="2">
</section>
</section>
<section id="22388" fatherid="0" title="Managers" lv="" priority="8" level="1">
As of 26 December 2009. Only managers in charge for a minimum of 50 competitive matches are counted.
</section>
<section id="22389" fatherid="0" title="Honours" lv="" priority="9" level="1">
York City's honours include the following:
</section>
<section id="22390" fatherid="0" title="References" lv="" priority="-10" level="1">
</section>
<section id="22391" fatherid="0" title="External links" lv="" priority="-11" level="1">
Category:English football clubs
Category:Football Conference
Category:Football League clubs
Category:Football (soccer) clubs established in 1922
Category:North Yorkshire football clubs
Category:Sport in North Yorkshire

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