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York City
Crest of York City
Full name York City Football Club
Nickname(s) The Minstermen
Founded 1922; 103 years ago (1922)
Ground York Community Stadium
Ground Capacity 8,500
Ground Coordinates 53°59′05″N 1°03′10″W / 53.98472°N 1.05278°W / 53.98472; -1.05278
Owner
  • 394 Sports (51%)
  • York City Supporters' Society (25%)
  • FB Sports (24%)
Co-chairs
  • Julie-Anne Uggla
  • Matthew Uggla
Manager Adam Hinshelwood
League National League North
2018–19 National League North, 12th of 22
Third colours

York City Football Club is a professional association football team from York, England. They are known as "The Minstermen" and play in red kits. As of the 2024–25 season, they compete in the National League, which is the fifth level of English football.

The club was started in 1922 and played in non-League football for seven years. They then joined the Football League. York City had their best run in the FA Cup in 1954–55, reaching the semi-final. They moved between the Third and Fourth Divisions, and even spent two seasons in the Second Division in the 1970s. In 1993, York City played at Wembley Stadium for the first time and won a play-off final.

In 2004, they left the Football League but returned in 2012 after winning the 2012 FA Trophy final and a play-off final at Wembley. They were relegated back to non-League football in 2016. York City played at Fulfordgate and then Bootham Crescent for 88 years. In 2021, they moved to their current home, the York Community Stadium. Their main rivals are Hull City and Scarborough. Barry Jackson has played the most games for the club, and Norman Wilkinson is their top goalscorer.

Club History

Early Years and Joining the Football League (1922–1981)

York City 09-09-1922
The York City team before a match in 1922

York City Football Club was founded in May 1922 and joined the Midland League. They played there for seven seasons. In 1929, the club was voted into the Football League, joining the Third Division North. Their first Football League match was a 2–0 win against Wigan Borough.

In the 1937–38 FA Cup, York City had an exciting run. They beat top-tier teams like West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough. They reached the sixth round before being knocked out. After World War II, football started again in 1946. York City had a great FA Cup run in 1954–55, reaching the semi-final. They drew 1–1 with Newcastle United before losing the replay. This made them the first third-tier club to play in an FA Cup semi-final replay.

Roker Park August 1976
York played at Roker Park in their FA Cup semi-final replay with Newcastle United.

In 1959, York City was promoted for the first time to the Third Division. They were relegated after one season but earned promotion again in 1965 and 1971. In 1974, York City reached the Second Division for the first time, which was a big achievement. They finished 15th in their first season there. However, they were relegated back to the Third Division in 1976 and then to the Fourth Division in 1977.

Ups and Downs: Promotions and Leaving the League (1981–2004)

York City FC League Performance
A graph showing York's league positions since the 1929–30 season

In the 1983–84 season, York City won the Fourth Division championship. They were the first Football League team to get over 100 points in a season, finishing with 101 points. In the 1984–85 FA Cup, York City famously beat Arsenal 1–0. They then drew with European Cup winners Liverpool before losing the replay.

In 1993, York City won the Third Division play-off final at Wembley Stadium. They beat Crewe Alexandra in a penalty shootout to get promoted to the Second Division. They also had impressive wins in the League Cup. In 1995–96, they beat Premier League champions Manchester United 4–3 on aggregate, including a 3–0 win at Old Trafford. The next season, they beat Everton in the League Cup.

In 1999, York City was relegated from the Second Division. The club faced financial problems in the early 2000s. In 2002, a new owner, John Batchelor, took over, but the club went into administration. The Supporters' Trust (ST) bought the club in 2003 to save it. However, in 2004, York City was relegated from the Third Division to the Football Conference, ending 75 years in the Football League.

Return to the League and Recent Years (2004–Present)

2012 FA Trophy Final York City players with trophy
York players celebrating after winning the 2012 FA Trophy final

After leaving the Football League, York City reached the play-off semi-finals in 2007. They also reached the 2009 FA Trophy final at Wembley, but lost. In 2012, York City won their first national knockout competition, beating Newport County 2–0 in the 2012 FA Trophy final at Wembley. A week later, they won the 2012 Conference Premier play-off final against Luton Town at Wembley, which meant they returned to the Football League after eight years.

York City stayed in League Two for four seasons. In 2014, they reached the League Two play-offs but lost in the semi-final. In 2016, they were relegated back to the National League. The next season, 2016–17, they were relegated again to the National League North. However, they ended that season by winning the 2017 FA Trophy final at Wembley, beating Macclesfield Town 3–2.

In 2022, York City was promoted back to the National League through the play-offs, beating Boston United 2–0 in the final. The Supporters' Trust briefly owned 100% of the club before selling a majority share to businessman Glen Henderson.

Club Identity

Nicknames and Kit Colors

York City is nicknamed "the Minstermen" because of York Minster, a famous cathedral in the city. This name became official in 1972. Before that, they were called "the Robins" because of their red shirts. During their FA Cup run in 1954–55, they were also known as "the Happy Wanderers."

The original kit colours worn in the 1922–23 season

For most of their history, York City has worn red shirts. However, in their very first season (1922–23), their kit was maroon shirts, white shorts, and black socks. They also wore maroon and white striped shirts for a few years in the 1920s. In 1933, they changed to chocolate and cream stripes, which was a nod to York's chocolate industry. They went back to red shirts in 1937.

In 1974, when they were promoted to the Second Division, a bold white "Y" was added to their red shirts, making them famous as "Y-fronts." Red shirts returned in 1978, often with navy blue shorts. In 2004, they switched to plain red and white, but in 2008, a mostly navy kit was introduced. They also had a light blue third kit in 2007–08 and a purple kit for the 2009 FA Trophy final. Since 2010, red shirts have been the main color again, worn with various colored shorts.

Club Crests

York City FC logo (1978-2002)
York City crest: 1978–2002

When the club started, they used the city's coat of arms as their crest, but it only appeared on shirts in 1950–51. In 1959, a new crest was designed with York Minster, the White Rose of York, and a robin, but it was never used on the shirts. From 1969 to 1973, the letters "YCFC" were on the shirts. The "Y-fronts" shirts from 1974 to 1978 had a special badge combining "Y" and "C."

In 1978, a new crest was introduced showing Bootham Bar, two lions, and the club name. This was updated to a colored version in 1983. When John Batchelor took over in 2002, the crest changed to "York City Soccer Club" with a checkered flag. After he left, the club went back to "York City Football Club," and a new logo was chosen by supporters. This badge features five lions, mostly navy blue on a white Y-shape, with a red background and a white lion in the middle.

Tables of kit suppliers and shirt sponsors appear below:

Club Grounds

Fulfordgate: The First Home

Fulfordgate 1931
A map showing Fulfordgate and its surroundings. York played here from 1922 to 1932.

York City's first football ground was Fulfordgate, located in Fulford, York. They played their first match there on 20 September 1922. The ground was slowly improved over time, adding covered stands and seating. By 1929, it could hold about 17,000 fans. However, because it was far from the city center, attendance started to drop. In 1932, the club decided to move to a new ground closer to the city.

Bootham Crescent: The Long-Time Home

Bootham Crescent David Longhurst Stand 21-03-2009 1
The David Longhurst Stand at Bootham Crescent in 2009

Bootham Crescent became York City's new home in 1932. It was officially opened on 31 August 1932 with a match against Stockport County. The record attendance at Bootham Crescent was 28,123 people for an FA Cup match in 1938. The ground was damaged slightly during World War II.

Over the years, many improvements were made to Bootham Crescent. The club bought the ground in 1948. Floodlights were installed in 1959 and updated in 1980. In 1991, the David Longhurst Stand was built, named after a York player who sadly passed away. New, more powerful floodlights were put in place in 1995.

In 1999, York City no longer owned Bootham Crescent directly. The club faced financial difficulties, but the Supporters' Trust bought the ground back in 2004 with a loan. For a few years, it was called KitKat Crescent due to a sponsorship deal, but most people still called it Bootham Crescent. The ground needed major repairs, and the club had to find a new home.

York Community Stadium: The Modern Home

LNER Community Stadium
The East Stand at the York Community Stadium in 2021

Because of the loan terms and the condition of Bootham Crescent, York City needed a new stadium. In 2008, the City of York Council announced plans for a new community stadium for both York City and the city's rugby league team. The chosen site was at Monks Cross.

Construction on the new stadium began in 2017. After some delays, it was finished in December 2020. York City officially moved into the stadium in January 2021. The first match there was played without fans because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The York Community Stadium has 8,500 seats.

Supporters and Rivalries

Jorvik Reds 25-08-2008 1
A Jorvik Reds display during a match in 2008

York City has many fan groups, including the East Riding Minstermen and the Supporters' Trust. The club publishes an official match programme called The Citizen. Fans have also created their own magazines, known as fanzines, over the years. The club's mascot is a lion named Yorkie the Lion, who entertains fans before matches.

York City's main rivals have traditionally been Hull City and Scarborough. While York fans often see Hull City as their biggest rival, Hull City fans usually consider Leeds United their main rival. York City also had rivalries with Halifax Town and Luton Town, especially during their time in the Conference league.

Club Records and Statistics

Norm
Norman Wilkinson is York's top goalscorer with 143 goals

The player with the most appearances for York City is Barry Jackson, who played 539 matches. He also holds the record for most league appearances with 428 games. Norman Wilkinson is the club's top goalscorer, with 143 goals in all competitions. Six other players have scored over 100 goals for the club.

The first York City player to play for his country was Eamon Dunphy, who played for the Republic of Ireland in 1965. The player with the most international appearances while at York City is Peter Scott, who played seven times for Northern Ireland.

York City's biggest win was 9–1 against Southport in 1957. Their heaviest loss was 12–0 to Chester City in 1936. In the FA Cup, their biggest win is by six goals, achieved five times. Their record FA Cup defeat was 7–0 to Liverpool in 1985.

The highest attendance at their old Fulfordgate ground was 12,721. At Bootham Crescent, the highest attendance was 28,123 for an FA Cup match in 1938.

The highest fee York City has received for a player is £950,000 for Richard Cresswell in 1999. The most expensive player they bought was Adrian Randall for £140,000 in 1995. The youngest player to play for the club was Reg Stockill, who was 15 years and 281 days old in 1929. The oldest player was Paul Musselwhite, who played his last match at 43 years and 127 days old in 2012.

Players

First-team squad

Paddy mclaughlin york city 2021-22
Paddy McLaughlin was part of the York teams that won the 2012 Conference Premier play-offs and the 2022 National League North play-offs.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Squad correct as of 15 July 2025.

York City F.C. first-team squad
No. Pos. Player Nation
1 GK Male, HarrisonHarrison Male  England
2 DF Fallowfield, RyanRyan Fallowfield  England
4 DF O'Connor, DarraghDarragh O'Connor  Ireland
5 DF Howe, CallumCallum Howe (captain)  England
6 MF McLaughlin, PaddyPaddy McLaughlin  Northern Ireland
7 FW Sinclair, TyreseTyrese Sinclair  England
8 MF Hunt, AlexAlex Hunt  England
10 FW Pearce, OllieOllie Pearce  England
11 FW Nathaniel-George, AshleyAshley Nathaniel-George  Antigua and Barbuda
12 FW Gravata, LeoneLeone Gravata  England
13 GK Sykes-Kenworthy, GeorgeGeorge Sykes-Kenworthy  England
15 MF Armstrong, MarvinMarvin Armstrong  England
16 GK Watson, RoryRory Watson  England
18 MF Batty, DanDan Batty  England
20 MF Aguiar, RickyRicky Aguiar  England
23 DF Felix, JoeJoe Felix  England
24 FW Stones, JoshJosh Stones  England
25 FW Fadera, MoMo Fadera  Gambia
28 DF Fagan-Walcott, MalachiMalachi Fagan-Walcott  England
32 DF Grumley, GeorgeGeorge Grumley  England
MF Banks, OllieOllie Banks  England
MF Boateng, HiramHiram Boateng  England
DF Brookes, BenBen Brookes  England
DF Cordner, TylerTyler Cordner  England
FW Grey, JoeJoe Grey  England
DF Kitching, MarkMark Kitching  England
MF Newby, AlexAlex Newby  England
MF Olley, GregGreg Olley  England
DF Palmer, AshAsh Palmer  England
York City F.C. first-team players out on loan
No. Pos. Player Nation
19 FW Chadwick, BillyBilly Chadwick (at Scunthorpe United until January 2026)  England
21 DF John, CameronCameron John (at Hartlepool United for 2025–26 season)  England
31 DF King, JeffJeff King (at Boreham Wood until January 2026)  England

Club Officials

Ownership

  • 394 Sports (51%)
  • York City Supporters' Society (25%)
  • FB Sports (24%)

Board

  • Co-chairs: Julie-Anne Uggla • Matthew Uggla
  • Directors: James Daniels • Billy Ford • Tim Ford • Alastair Smith • Simon Young

Management and backroom staff

  • Manager: Adam Hinshelwood
  • Assistant manager: Gary Elphick
  • First-team coach: Cameron Morrison
  • Goalkeeping coach: Joe Stead
  • Kit & equipment manager: Lewis Saleem
  • Head of science and medicine: Sam Mannings

Honours and Achievements

York City has won several titles and achieved promotions throughout its history:

League Achievements

  • Third Division (level 3)
    • Promoted: 1973–74
  • Fourth Division / Third Division (level 4)
    • Champions: 1983–84 (first Football League team to reach 100+ points)
    • Promoted: 1958–59, 1964–65, 1970–71
    • Play-off winners: 1993
  • Conference Premier (level 5)
    • Play-off winners: 2012
  • National League North (level 6)
    • Play-off winners: 2022

Cup Achievements

  • FA Trophy
    • Winners: 2011–12, 2016–17
    • Runners-up: 2008–09

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: York City Football Club para niños

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