History of York City F.C.

York City F.C. is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club was originally formed in 1908, and played several seasons in the Midland League, before closing during the First World War. The club was reformed in 1922, and was elected to play in the Midland League. The team played at this level until 1929, when they were elected to the Football League. They played in Division Three North from their year of entry until the 1958–59 season, when the League was re-organised and they were placed in Division Four. During this period, the team reached the semi-final of the FA Cup, being beaten by Division One side Newcastle United in the replay.

The team won its first play-off in 1993, when they beat Crewe Alexandra on penalties in the final at Wembley Stadium. The following season saw another play-off appearance. York were beaten by Stockport County in the semi-final. The club was relegated to the Football Conference in 2004, ending 75 years of League membership. York remain in this division, but made it to the play-offs in the 2006–07 season, where they lost to Morecambe in the semi-final.

1908–1917

York City Football Club was founded in 1908 as an amateur side,cite book
last = Batters
first = Dave
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
publisher = The Breedon Books Publishing Company Limited
year = 1990
pages = p9
chapter = The York City Story
isbn = 0907969690 ] although some sources state that the roots of the club can be traced as far back as 1897 when the York and District League was formed and when association football was beginning to gain popularity.cite web
title = York City FC: history
url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/content/articles/2005/09/15/york_city_history_sport_feature.shtml
publisher = BBC North Yorkshire
accessdate = 2007-03-25] The club joined the Northern League for the 1908–09 season and acquired a ground in Holgate Road. Their first match, which York won 2–1, was against South Bank. During this season the club entered the FA Amateur Cup, but were knocked out by Scarborough.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p10 ] They played in the Northern League for two seasons, before leaving to join the Yorkshire Combination which was the forerunner of the Yorkshire League. The club turned professional in 1912 and joined the Midland League. They played in the Midland League for three seasons, achieving a highest finish of tenth position.cite web
title = YORK CITY{1}
url = http://www.fchd.info/YORKC-1.HTM
publisher = Football Club History Database
accessdate = 2007-03-26] They ceased playing in 1914–15 because of the outbreak of First World War, and in 1917 the club was forced into liquidation due to bankruptcy, as one of the stands had been unpaid for and a creditor was pressing for payment.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p11 ]

1922–1938

At a meeting held at the Co-operative Hall in York on 6 May 1922, the decision was taken to form the York City Football and Athletic Club Limited. The club attempted to gain admission to the Football League,cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p12 ] but were elected instead to play in the Midland League.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p13 ] York's first game was against Notts County Reserves, an away match played in September 1922, which, despite a good performance, York lost 4–2.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p15 ] As their Fulfordgate ground was not ready, York had to play their first two home matches at Mille Crux ground of Messrs Rowntree & Company Limited. York's first game at Fulfordgate, which finished as a 4–1 victory against Mansfield Town eventually came on 20 September 1922. York finished the 1922–23 season in 19th place out of 22 in the Midland League. They had been in a mid-table position in early March 1923, but failed to win any of their remaining 14 fixtures. In the same year the team reached the final of the North Riding Senior Cup, but lost 4–2 to Middlesbrough Reserves on 10 March 1923.cite web
title = YORK CITY
url = http://www.fchd.info/YORKC.HTM
publisher = Football Club History Database
accessdate = 2007-03-26] The team entered the FA Cup competition in the 1923–24 season, which had been missed out on in the previous season as the club has not been formed in time to enter. They reached the first qualifying round of this competition, taking Mexborough Town to a second replay, which York lost 3–1.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p410 ]

For the 1924–25 season, the Midland League was reorganised because eight reserve Football League teams withdrew from the competition. York finished sixth in the Principal Competition and were runners-up to Denaby United in the North Subsidiary Competition.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p16 ] The following season, the Midland League was restored to its previous size, and York finished in 16th position, after suffering a bad start to the season from which the team never recovered.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p17 ] The club had their most successful season in the Midland League in 1926–27, when they finished in 6th place out of 20 and reached the second round of the FA Cup, losing 2–1 to Grimsby Town. This was the first time York had passed the competition's qualifying rounds.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p18 ] cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p411 ] The following season, the club made its first serious attempt for election into the Football League, which, despite gaining much encouragement from outside sources, was unsuccessful, with Barrow and Accrington Stanley being re-elected instead. Following their failure to gain election, the side planned ahead, which included the appointment of Jock Collier as player-manager in July 1928.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p21 ] Collier's first season in charge proved to be the club's last in the Midland League as York won election to the Football League in June 1929, taking the place of Ashington in Division Three North.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p22 ]

York's first game of League football was against Wigan Borough on 31 August 1929. It finished with a 2–0 victory for York, during which Reg Stockill became the youngest player to represent the club in a senior competitive match.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p23 ] This season provided two meetings with Newcastle United in the FA Cup and York finished 6th out of 22 in their first League season.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p298 ] Jock Collier resigned as manager at the end of the season and George Sherrington took over the managership for the following three years, combining this with his role as club secretary.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p26] His first season in charge saw York finish 12th in the league,cite web
title = Final 1930/1931 English Division 3 North Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=60&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-15] and do well in the FA Cup, taking Division One side Sheffield United to a replay.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p300 ] York moved to their Bootham Crescent ground in the summer of 1932. It was closer to the club's centre of support and the railway station than their former Fulfordgate ground.cite web
title = The History of Bootham Crescent
url = http://www.yorkcityfc.com/club/bc_history.php
publisher = Red and Blue NET
accessdate = 2007-03-30] The team's first game at the ground was a 2–2 draw with Stockport County, with the first goalscorer being Tom Mitchell.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p28 ] The following season saw York finish 20th in the table and in May 1933 Jock Collier was reappointed manager.cite web
title = Final 1932/1933 English Division 3 North Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=62&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-15] cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p29 ] York finished in 12th position in Collier's first season back and had to be content with 15th position in the 1934–35 season.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = pp29–30 ] However, the side played an FA Cup match against First Division side Derby County in the third round, which York lost 1–0.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = pp30–31 ] Collier left the club in March 1937 and Tom Mitchell was appointed as his replacement.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p34 ] The team finished in 12th position.cite web
title = Final 1936/1937 English Division 3 North Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=66&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-16] The 1937–38 season saw York City "firmly placed on the football map", as the team managed to knock out First Division West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, before meeting Huddersfield Town in the quarter-final. This saw York draw 0–0 in front of a crowd of 28,123, the club's record highest attendance, but went out of the competition after losing the replay 2–1 at Leeds Road.cite web
title = Brief History
url = http://www.yorkcityfc.com/history/brief_history.php
publisher = Red and Blue NET
accessdate = 2007-03-25]

1938–1959

At the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, football was closed down with the Football League programme being brought to an abrupt end.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p36 ] cite book
last = Jarred
first = Martin
coauthors = & Windross, Dave
title = Citizens and Minstermen, A Who's Who of York City FC 1922-1997
publisher = Citizen Publications
year = 1997
pages = p1
chapter = A Brief History of York City
isbn = 0953100502 ] The FA later organised regional competitions for football to proceed on a wartime footing and York decided to carry on during the war. Of the seven seasons played during the war, York managed to make a profit in five of these. FA Cup football returned for the 1945–46 season, when the team were knocked out by Sheffield Wednesday in the fourth round. Peacetime football resumed in August 1946,cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p44 ] and the 1946–47 season included the same fixtures as that of the abandoned 1939–40 season, and York finished in 15th place in Division Three North.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p45 ] The club bought the Bootham Crescent ground, which had been leased over the previous 16 years, in September 1948. York reached their record average league attendance of 10,412 during the 1948–49 season, which was the peak year of the post-war attendance boom.York won the North Riding Senior Cup the following season yet were forced to seek re-election to regain their spot in the League for the first time in their history, after finishing bottom of Division Three North.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p48 ] This application for re-election was successful, as the league had been extended from 88 to 92 clubs for the following season. Tom Mitchell resigned as manager in February 1950 and Dick Duckworth was named his successor in March.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p125 ] The 1952–53 season saw York involved in a promotion chase.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p52 ] They finished the season in fourth place with 53 points, both new club records.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = pp52–53 ] Also during this season, manager Dick Duckworth departed and his successor, Charlie Spencer, died in February 1953. Jimmy McCormick was appointed manager in May, but, after a dispute over team selection, he resigned in September 1954 and team affairs were handled by Tom Lockie and George Sherrington.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p127 ] cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p55 ]

The 1954–55 season saw York become the first Division Three club to participate in an FA Cup semi-final replay,cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p226 ] which came after beating Scarborough, Dorchester Town, Blackpool (winners of the competition two seasons earlier), Bishop Auckland, Tottenham Hotspur and Notts County in the previous rounds.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p334 ] After drawing 1–1 against Newcastle United in the semi-final, York were defeated 2–0 in the replay, which ended an FA Cup campaign during which Arthur Bottom scored eight goals.

Sam Bartram was appointed manager in March 1956,cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p58 ] being York's first manager for 18 months, and he was in charge as the team finished 11th in the table.cite web
title = Final 1955/1956 English Division 3 North Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=85&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-17] York finished in 13th position in the 1957–58 season.cite web
title = Final 1957/1958 English Division 3 North Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=87&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-17] This meant that for the following season they would be placed in Division Four.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p59 ] York missed out on the runner-up spot due to goal average, but were however promoted to Division Three in third place.cite web
title = Final 1958/1959 English Division 4 Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=88&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-17]

1959–1980

Following their first season in Division Three, York were relegated to Division Four and manager Sam Bartram was released from his contact.cite web
title = Final 1959/1960 English Division 3 (old) Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=89&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-17] cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p60 ] His successor, Tom Lockie, led the team to a fifth-place finish in the table in his first season, which was only one place from promotion.cite web
title = Final 1960/1961 English Division 4 Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=90&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-17] York reached the quarter-final of the League Cup in the 1961–62 season, when they lost 2–1 to Rochdale. A victory over Aldershot in the final game of the season would have ensured promotion to Division Three again, but they lost 1–0.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p348 ] cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p62 ] York were again forced to seek re-election at the end of the 1963–64 season, as they finished 22nd in Division Four.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p64 ] During this season, a football bribery scandal had been exposed by the Sunday People accused York player Jack Fountain of fixing results.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p64 ] He had his contact with the club cancelled and was found guilty of fixing two matches which had been lost by York.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p65 ]

In the 1964–65 season, the team improved to finish in third place and gained promotion to Division Three, after a season which included a club record of 20 home league wins.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = pp65 ] However, York were subsequently relegated to Division Four, finishing bottom of Division Three, and conceding a club record 106 goals.cite web
title = Final 1965/1966 English Division 3 (old) Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=95&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-17] cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = pp65–66 ] York sought re-election having finished 22nd in the 1966–67 season, which included a run of eight successive defeats; the club's worst ever run.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p67 ] Tom Lockie became the first manager to be dismissed by the club in October 1967. The team finished the 1967–68 season in 21st place under new manager Jow Shaw,cite web
title = Final 1967/1968 English Division 4 Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=97&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-17] again seeking re-election.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p68 ] Shaw announced his resignation in August 1968 and Tom Johnston was appointed as his successor in October.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p129 ] The team also finished the 1968–69 season in 21st place and sought re-election.cite web
title = Final 1968/1969 English Division 4 Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=98&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-17] cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p69 ] A mid-table finish was achieved the following season and promotion from Division Four, for the third time in their history, came in the 1970–71 season.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p70 ] cite web
title = Final 1970/1971 English Division 4 Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=100&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-17]

After two seasons in which Division Three status was held on to only on goal difference,cite web
title = Final 1971/1972 English Division 3 (old) Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=101&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-17] cite web
title = Final 1972/1973 English Division 3 (old) Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=102&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-17] York won promotion to Division Two in the 1973–74 season.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p79 ] The first season in the Second Division saw a finish of 15th, which was York's highest ever league position. Their highest League crowd of 46,802 at Old Trafford was achieved as York lost 2–1 to Manchester United in March 1975. Tom Johnston resigned as manager in January 1975 and the club appointed former Manchester United manager Wilf McGuinness as his successor.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p130 ] cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p84 ] The 1975–76 season saw a cup-tie with Liverpool in the League Cup, which York lost 1–0, and relegation back to Division Three after finishing in 21st place in Division Two.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = pp84–85 ] cite web
title = Final 1975/1976 English Division 2 (old) Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=105&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-17]

In the 1976–77 season York faced a second successive relegation, by dropping into Division Four after finishing bottom of Division Three.cite web
title = Final 1976/1977 English Division 3 (old) Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=106&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-17] Manager Wilf McGuinness was dismissed in October 1977, with Charlie Wright being named his successor in November.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p87 ] The 1977–78 season finished with York 22nd in Division Four and they were forced to apply for re-election, whilst the club was in financial trouble and attendances were at an all-time low.cite web
title = Final 1977/1978 English Division 4 Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=107&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-17] Charlie Wright's contact as manager was terminated in March 1980 and Barry Lyons was named as caretaker manager until the end of the 1979–80 season.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p90 ] After finishing the season in 17th position in the table, Lyons was appointed manager on a full-time basis.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p91 ]

1980–1999

York finished bottom of Division Four in 1980–81 and were forced once again to seek re-election.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p92 ] Lyons was sacked as manager in December 1981, with Kevin Randall being placed as caretaker manager, but he lasted only until March 1982 and was replaced by Barry Swallow for a further two months.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p93 ] The club made the appointments of Denis Smith, who had played for the club on loan the previous season, as player-manager and Viv Busby as player-coach in May 1982.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p94 ] Under their guidance York won their first major honour, Division Four, in the 1983–84 season, with a club record 101 points, becoming the first team to reach 100 points in the Football League.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p96 ] cite web
title = Football League points records
url = http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/page/RecordPoints/0,,10794,00.html
publisher = The Football League
accessdate = 2007-11-17]

In January 1985, York beat Division One team Arsenal 1–0 in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Bootham Crescent, with the goal coming from a Keith Houchen penalty.cite web
title = York 1 Arsenal 0
url = http://www.yorkcityfc.com/history/arsenal.php
publisher = Red and Blue NET
accessdate = 2007-03-31] York went on to draw 1–1 with Liverpool at Bootham Crescent in February, but lost 7–0 in the replay at Anfield four days later in what was the club's record cup defeat.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = pp99–100 ] The following season, York again played Liverpool in the FA Cup, being beaten in another replay 3–1 at Anfield.cite book
last = Jarred
coauthors = & Windross
title = Citizens and Minstermen, A Who's Who of York City FC 1922-1997
pages = p3 ] The club's managerial team of Denis Smith and Viv Busby departed in May 1987 to take over at Sunderland, and Bobby Saxton was appointed as the new manager in June.cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = pp105–107 ] Saxton's first season in charge ended in relegation, after the side finished 23rd in Division Three. This was, statistically, York's worst season in the Football League.cite web
title = Final 1987/1988 English Division 3 (old) Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=117&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-18] cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p107 ] Saxton resigned as manager in September 1988 and Barry Swallow again took charge on a caretaker basis,cite book
last = Batters
title = York City: A Complete Record 1922-1990
pages = p110 ] before John Bird, formerly Hartlepool United manager, took charge in October and saw the team finish 11th in the table.cite web
title = Final 1988/1989 English Division 4 Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=118&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-18] In September 1990, David Longhurst, a York player, died during a home match against Lincoln City after suffering a heart attack on the field, and later the club named a stand at Bootham Crescent after him.cite web
title = David Longhurst Stand
url = http://www.yorkcitysouth.co.uk/xdb-bc013.htm
publisher = York City South
accessdate = 2007-11-18] John Bird was sacked as manager in October 1991 and replaced with John Ward.cite web
title = John Bird's managerial career
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=783
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-18] "A shrewd tactician", Ward moulded a championship-chasing side, but left the club late in the 1992–93 season. Alan Little, who worked as assistant under Bird and Ward, took over as manager and guided the club to the play-offs. York played Bury in the semi-finals, with the first-leg finishing as a 0–0 draw, and York winning the second leg 1–0 with a Gary Swann goal.cite web
title = League Two Play-Off Semifinal first leg
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=389902
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-18] cite web
title = League Two Play-Off Semifinal second leg
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=389903
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-18] In the final at Wembley Stadium, York beat Crewe Alexandra 5–3 on penalties, after the score had finished 1–1 after extra time.cite web
title = League Two Play-Off - Final
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=389904
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-18] During their first season in Division Two, they again reached the play-offs, this time losing to Stockport County in the semi-finals, after being beaten 1–0 in the second leg.cite web
title = League One Play-Off Semifinal second leg
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=389865
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-18]

York recorded a 4–3 aggregate victory over Manchester United in the League Cup second round in the 1995–96 season. A weakened United side (featuring five fringe players) were beaten 3–0 at Old Trafford in the first leg, and in the second leg York held on in a 3–1 defeat to win the tie on aggregate. The Premiership side went on to win the Premier League and FA Cup double.cite web
title = When City rocked the world
url = http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/archive/library2005/ycfcoldtrafford/display.var.936400.0.when_city_rocked_the_world.php
publisher = The Press
accessdate = 2007-03-26] During the following season, York played Everton in the second round of the League Cup, and after drawing the first leg 1–1 at Goodison Park, the team progressed to the third round after winning 3–2 in the second leg to give York a 4–3 aggregate win.cite web
title = York City v Everton
url = http://www.toffeeweb.com/SEASON/96-97/reports/yorkct_a.htm
publisher = ToffeeWeb
accessdate = 2007-03-26]

1999–present

Manager Alan Little was sacked in March 1999 and York finished the 1998–99 season with relegation to Division Three.cite web
title = Final 1998/1999 Football League One Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=128&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-18] His successor Neil Thompson was sacked after one year in charge, in which York struggled near the foot of Division Three and new manager Terry Dolan guided York to safety, but could only finish 20th in the table.cite web
title = Final 1999/2000 Football League Two Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=129&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-18]

Long-time chairman Douglas Craig put the club and ground up for sale for £4.5 million and announced in December 2001 that unless a new owner was found before 1 April 2002, the club would have to resign from the Football League.cite news
title = Reynolds to York's rescue
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/y/york_city/1786967.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2002-01-28
accessdate = 2007-03-24] York Wasps owners John Stabler and Russell Greenfield were interested in buying the club,cite news
title = Wasps deal to buy City
url = http://archive.yorkpress.co.uk/2002/1/31/291243.html
publisher = The Press
date = 2002-01-31
accessdate = 2008-04-04] but it was eventually purchased by Team B&Q racing driver and owner John Batchelor in March 2002,cite news
title = York unveil new owner
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/y/york_city/1871592.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2002-03-15
accessdate = 2007-03-24] in a deal which was confirmed to inclue both club and ground.cite news
title = Saved
url = http://archive.thisisyork.co.uk/2002/3/15/289440.html
publisher = The Press
date = 2002-03-15
accessdate = 2008-04-04] It was revealed in May that he had not bought the ground,cite web
title = Timeline of events leading up to securing of the ground
url = http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/archive/library2004/boothamcrescent/display.var.1023076.0.timeline_of_events_leading_up_to_securing_of_the_ground.php
publisher = The Press
accessdate = 2008-04-04] and later that month he announced the club would be rebranded York City Soccer Club,cite news
title = Soccer just isn't the word
url = http://archive.yorkpress.co.uk/2002/5/22/285757.html
publisher = The Press
date = 2002-05-22
accessdate = 2008-04-04] in an attempt to appeal to markets in the United States.cite web
title = Batchelor with singular ambition
url = http://www.yorkcitysouth.co.uk/xdb-batchdt.htm
publisher = York City South
accessdate = 2008-04-04] He also promised to invite two members of the Supporters Trust onto the board and for them to be given 24% of the club's shares, but these went unfulfilled.cite web
title = This is our club!
url = http://www.yorkcityfc.com/articles/brucey_ourclub.php
publisher = Red & Blue NET
accessdate = 2007-11-17] York entered administration in December and the Supporters Trust took control of the club in March 2003 after the Inland Revenue accepted an offer of £100,000 as payment for an outstanding bill of £160,000.cite news
title = York go into administration
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/y/york_city/2586881.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2002-12-18
accessdate = 2008-04-04] cite news
title = Trust deal inches York to safety
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/y/york_city/2885945.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2003-03-26
accessdate = 2007-03-24] Terry Dolan was sacked as manager in June 2003, with the board citing financial reasons for his departure.cite news
title = Dolan shocked at dismissal
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/y/york_city/2956254.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2003-06-02
accessdate = 2007-03-23] His successor was York defender Chris Brass, who at 27 became the youngest ever manager in League football when he became the club's player-manager.cite news
title = Brass nets York job
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/y/york_city/2961950.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2003-06-04
accessdate = 2007-03-23] York failed to win any of their final 20 league fixtures and were relegated to the Football Conference after 75 years of League membership. York were given a loan of £2 million from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, which secured the purchase of Bootham Crescent.cite news
first = Pete
last = Oliver
title = Spread the news on new York City
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/y/york_city/6503459.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2007-03-28
accessdate = 2007-03-28]

Brass was sacked as manager in November 2004, with Viv Busby being placed as caretaker-manager.cite news
title = York sack Brass after poor start
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/y/york_city/3992025.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2004-11-08
accessdate = 2007-03-24] Busby left by mutual consent after four months in charge.cite news
title = Viv Busby leaves York City
url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/sport/2005/02/10/busby.shtml
publisher = BBC North Yorkshire
date = 2005-02-10
accessdate = 2007-03-24] His replacement was Billy McEwan,cite news
title = McEwan in charge as Busby goes
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/y/york_city/4253491.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2005-02-10
accessdate = 2007-03-24] who led the team to 17th place in the club's first Conference season.cite web
title = Final 2004/2005 Football Conference Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=134&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-17] His first full season in charge, 2005–06, saw York finish in 8th place, three places from the play-offs. The play-offs were reached in the 2006–07 season, where York were beaten 2–1 by Morecambe in the second leg.cite web
title = Final 2005/2006 Football Conference Table
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd?competitionid=7&seasonid=135&teamid=2910
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-17] cite web
title = Football Conference Play-off Semifinal second leg - KO 17:00
url = http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=515447
publisher = Soccerbase
accessdate = 2007-11-17] Manager Billy McEwan was sacked in November 2007, after the side were in 19th position, and Colin Walker became caretaker and took over permanently a month later.cite news
title = York City sack Billy McEwan
url = http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/yorkcityfc/news/display.var.1842841.0.york_city_sack_billy_mcewan.php
publisher = The Press
date = 2007-11-19
accessdate = 2007-11-19] cite news
title = Walker handed York manager's job
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/y/york_city/7161250.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2007-12-27
accessdate = 2008-02-09]

Notes