2006 offers hope for the Minstermen
York City’s season ended in disappointment on Saturday with a 3-1 defeat to second-placed Conference side Hereford United. The Minstermen coming away empty-handed will be more frustrating than soul-destroying for City fans, who had seen their side’s chances of making the play-offs dashed last week away to Stevenage. Failure to win any of their last five games will come as a disappointment, but the club can still reflect on a season of improvement.
City boss Billy McEwan is unlikely to make a late surge on the bungling FA’s shortlist for England manager, but the Scot has nevertheless carried out his work at Kit-Kat Crescent effectively this season. But York undoubtedly find themselves in a far better position to make a challenge for promotion back to the Football League next season. Such hopes at the start of this season existed only for the most optimistic of York fans.
The capture of striker Clayton Donaldson at the start of the campaign proved the early season catalyst for a surge towards the top of the table, but consistency became a problem for City around Christmas. Only a tremendous run of results in February and early March reignited promotion dreams.
Donaldson’s strike partner Andy Bishop played the leading role throughout the season though, and his 23 goals this campaign ensured he finished as Conference leading marksmen.
Bishop’s consolation goal against Hereford could well prove to be his last for the club. Bury keen for his signature before the January transfer window slammed shut and now Walsall are being linked to the striker. Bishop’s goal celebrations have been somewhat muted of late and the fact that his car was vandalised outside the training ground last week, coupled with his rocky relationship with McEwan, will surely only hasten his exit from Kit-Kat Crescent.
City will meanwhile be waiting anxiously to see if bitter local rivals Scarborough have been relegated to Conference North. According to the league table The Seasiders should see themselves fall further down the pyramid but that decision will be made inside Conference HQ as Altrincham are facing a debilitating 18 point deduction. In addition, Canvey Island are set to resign from the league. While fans may rejoice at their rivals’ potential fall from grace, the club would lose out financially with the Christmas and New Year double header this season resulting in combined crowds of nearly 10,000.
Ex City player-manager Chris Brass meanwhile – the man who masterminded York’s relegation to the Conference two seasons ago – last week had the misfortune to be the scorer of probably the greatest own goal of all-time. Playing for Bury, the centre-back managed to hook a clearance straight into his face, only to see the ball end up in the back of his own net. To add injury to insult, Brass was said to have broken his nose in the process.
But City’s fortunes have differed this season. With attendances up and stability restored, the club can look forward to a close season in the knowledge that they will be among the favourites for promotion at the start of the 2006/2007 campaign. Bishop or no Bishop, York are heading in the right direction
By Ben Masters
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
