2016/7 - Season Review
The Season - Take 1
What a season, more like 2 seasons in one. Ultimately, a mid season failing and too many drawn games came back to haunt. Draws in our last 2 games consigned us to back to back relegations, when a defeat and a win would have saved us. The 2 successive relegations set City back by many years. From Football League status (and all the finances it inferred) to regional football and the eventual loss of EPPP academy status.
With reputedly the 3rd biggest playing budget in the division, we started the season with a 1-1 backs against the wall draw at Maidstone with Scott Flinders in goal plus 10 debutants. It wasn’t pretty, Maidstone hurled long balls and long throws at City’s defence all game. We overcame the storm and finished the stronger in the blazing midday sun.
On paper, the side didn’t look too bad. A blend of experienced lower league signings and a handful of players in their early 20s who’d made their mark in Conference North & South, signings from Braintree, Worcester and Scotland suggested the net had been spread wide.
Midfield didn’t really inspire and Richard Brodie had a comedy moment when he came on as a late sub, his first action was jokingly knocking over the keeper when lining up for a corner.
A midweek win over Macclesfield followed and at 1-0 up entering injury time against Boreham Wood suggested a good end to the first week of the season. Boreham Wood equalised in stoppage time. 2 goals in 3 games didn’t say a lot for the creativity in the team.
A 6-1 defeat at Gateshead made it look like we were in for a long, hard season. The previous season’s failings of a lack of confidence flooded back. Convincing home wins against 2 of the league's lesser sides seemed got us back on track. A 2-1 defeat at Gary Mills’ Wrexham was sandwiched in between. Interestingly, on the back of an abysmal defeat 2 days earlier at Dagenham, Wrexham attracted a 4,000+ crowd, well in excess of City’s average for the season.
September saw the poor away form continue. A trip to bottom of the table Guiseley offered a chance for our first away win in over 12 months. An early goal put us on our way. Guiseley, with 2 new signings up front struck back, as the lights went out (literally on a number of occasions); they turned the game away round to win 6-1. Surely, one of the most embarrassing defeats in City’s history.
The cries for Jackie McNamara’s head reached a crescendo. A fudge was reached and McNamara had one game to save his future. A 1-1 a Braintree draw left the picture muddied. Even muddier when McNamara announced he was stepping down but would remain as caretaker until a new manager was in place. His last game in charge was a week later, a 1-1 draw with Curzon in The FA Cup. McNamara left with us 2 places and 3 points above the relegation.
Conveniently (for City at least), Gary Mills had been sacked by Wrexham 2 days earlier, on the Thursday. Straight after the Curzon game, Jason McGill and McNamara headed for a meeting with Mills, he was in place by the end of the evening. There were mixed emotions about his return. 2012 double Wembley winning manager or 2013 sacked manager stuck in his ways, take your pick. McNamara assumed the role of CEO.
Next day, at Mills’ first training session, I think he realised just how big the job was once. He was faced with a blackboard of around 30 names and an FA Cup replay at Curzon a day later. "I just need a team of 11 for tomorrow, who can I trust?". Steve Torpey replied, "None of them". His bloated squad was shorn of all confidence. A day later, we lost our FA Cup replay at Curzon.
By the end of November, after 8 league games in charge, Mills had drawn 4 and lost 4 and we were in the bottom 4 after the home defeat against Dagenham. A good draw at high flying Eastleigh being offset by bad home defeats to Lincoln and Dagenham and a 3-0 defeat at Bromley where a paper thin defence was cut to ribbons by a non descript home side. It was a turning point for Mills as he embarked on another recruitment campaign. With 7 new players already signed, another 17 were to come in by the end of the season.
A week later City went to high flying Tranmere and more than held their own until conceding the only goal of the game in injury time. A week later, Mills recorded his first win since his return when we beat Worcester in The FA Trophy. Form held up through December, City getting much the better of a 0-0 draw with Torquay before finally winning an away game (for the first time in 15 months), 1-0 at North Ferriby on Boxing Day. We were on a roll, or so we thought until losing the return game to North Ferriby on New Year’s Day.
In January, Mills, citing away draws at the likes of Dover and Aldershot, teams challenging for promotion / play offs, that were a top 6 side.
That month, a 2-1 win against Barrow saw scenes of wild celebrations and jubilation as quick thinking Vadaine Oliver, recalled to the side, took a quick throw in which produced an injury time winner. Many doubted whether we’d see Oliver in a City shirt against considering how he’d finished the previous season. Richard Brodie, another striker who inspired differing views amongst supporter left the club earlier in the same month. He couldn't sustain an early season scoring spree and struggled to convince many he was match fit.
That win, sandwiched between 4 drawn league games was making it hard to climb out of the bottom 4. However, it was clear the team were playing like a team and safety was a reality rather than a pipedream.
February ended with a creditable 1-1 draw at Lincoln, a point won we all thought was a good point until other results filtered in. 3 of our relegation rivals had all picked up unexpected wins. A theme that was to continue for the rest of the season.
The Lincoln league game was quickly followed by a two legged FA Trophy semi final against Lincoln. A home win and away draw saw us reach Wembley. Gary Mills making early changes in the first leg to change the course of the tie.
March was generally positive. 3 wins and a draw from 5 games, ending with an impressive away win at Macclesfield, the first of 3 successive away wins as we played our way out of the bottom 4.
The next away win, at Chester, saw us out of the bottom four on goal difference. Despite winning our next game, a 2-1 win at Solihull Moors on Good Friday, we remained outside the bottom 4, still only on goal difference, as other relegation threatened teams upped their game.
Our world came crashing down on Easer Monday when an early Jon Parkin goal was cancelled out by 3 from Wrexham. Draws in our last 2 games sealed our fate. The goals of Jon Parkin, Amari Morgan-Smith and Vadaine Oliver gave hope. Extrapolated over a full season, they would all have scored 20+ goals, Jon Parkin, probably over 30. It remains to be seen whether they will be with us next season.
With 47 players appearing for the first team (plus 2 more who made the bench but not the pitch), the finances (even considering the FA Trophy run) will make grim reading when announced. Off the pitch, the Community Stadium passed another judicial review and build tenders / appointing a building contractor are the next steps as we are imminent. With a build of about 60 weeks, its touch and go whether we’ll be in it for the start of the 2018/9 season.
The Supporters Trust struggled on. Re-invigorated in the summer of 2016 when Jason McGill called for the Trust to plug the funding gap between the end of his previous 5 year plan and the move to the new stadium, its struggled on but with a new regime in place, hopes are high for it to be a positive influence around the club.
Almost as soon as the season ended, the club was embroiled in some turmoil as Gary Mills’ position was under scrutiny. Apparently, the club could terminate Mills’ contract without financial penalty in the case of relegation. The club gave Mills 2 days to decide whether he’d sign a new contract on reduced terms. Whilst transparency was shown, it might have been far less disruptive if negotiations had been concluded in private. Read More
Below the first team, the reserves and intermediates had positive seasons from being packed with professional early in the season, the reserve side finished with a team of youth players. Along the way, performances held up and some reputations were enhanced. Sam Fielding for one, shone early season, and made a confident first team debut in McNamara’s last days. Given the need for success, youth struggled later in the season. The intermediates had a strong season, finishing 4th in their league, the best result for many a season. In goal, Ryan Whitley and upfront 16 year olds Ryan Edmondson and Gabby McGill hit the headlines, but its probably unfair to name just 3 players when across the team, there were players excelling. Given City’s non league status, it remains to be seen how long these sides can be maintained.
The season ended (or in Gary Mills’ words, the 2017/8 season started) with a 3-2 win over Macclesfield in The FA Trophy Final, netting £50,000 prize money on the day (The Macc Lads got £25,000 as runners up) to add to the £42,000 prize money from the earlier rounds, plus a share of the gate receipts and TV revenue from the cup run. It should make a dent in season’s losses, but even so, when they’re eventually published, it they’re very unlikely to make happy reading. Note, some reports quoted £57,000 as pre Wembley prize money but The FA web site suggests £42,000, being £5,000 in Round 1, (Worcester), increasing a £1,000 a round until £8,000 for beating Brackley in Round 4 and then £16,000 for beating Lincoln. Next season, National League North sides enter at the 3rd qualifying round so if we are to repeat our success, its one more round we’ll have to get through.
Second time around, there was evidence that Gary Mills was more adaptable with his tactics, making early changes when games weren’t going our way and being prepared to compromise on the stylish play we saw first time around. Non more so when Sam Muggleton joined in March and we used an aerial bombardment from his massive long throws and the aerial strength of Parkin and Oliver to good effect.
However, whilst acknowledging our dire position and lack of success with youngster under McNamara, once again Gary Mills took a cautious approach to playing the youngsters. Sam Fielding, who’d made his debut and looked a footballer in the last days of McNamara was soon back in the youth side whilst Callum Rzonca and Alex Bruton were 2 home grown youngsters who played under Mills but won’t be at the club next season.
The players who did play, universally praised the club and the team spirit, hopefully boding well for 2017/8.
2016/7 turnover was £2.167m, but will have included £474k parachute payments and £260k EPPP / youth funding and say £150k from the FA Trophy run, that is £900k, or 40% of turnover gone by next season. Add in a £500k loss on the year and finances begin to look very unhealthy.
Speaking in 2020, when asked which spell in his career would have been most fitting for a Sunderland “’Til I Die-style” series, he said, “Probably I would have said York. The back-to-back relegations, there was a bad atmosphere amongst the club, fans were unhappy with the managers, and we must have had nearly 50 players through the door in that season! New faces every day in the playing squad and trialists, we got so close to staying up, and then obviously, eventually winning at Wembley (in the 2017 FA Trophy final) was a bit of a madness.”
Footnotes:
The Season - Take 2
The following is taken from Dave Flett's article that appeared in The York Press on May 27, 2017.
York City's season might have ended in celebration under Wembley's world-famous arch but Gary Mills is unlikely to be satisfied until his work at Bootham Crescent has gone full circle. Shaping a brighter future for the Minstermen was Mills' intention when he returned in October to manage the club he had led back into the Football League four and a half years earlier. That will be his ultimate goal again but, having failed to stave off the threat of relegation on goal difference (Ed: We finished a point below Guiseley and safety.) following an agonising final day, the whole process will now need to begin in the regionalised realms of National League North. Mills, of course, believes it has already started, following the 3-2 FA Trophy final victory on the hallowed turf over Macclesfield after his revamped squad displayed top-ten form from the turn of the year.
Incredibly, only two players that kicked off the season on a sweltering afternoon in Maidstone last August – Simon Heslop and Yan Klukowski – would end the campaign in City's starting XI at the home of English football, with the latter also making way at half-time.
That statistic is a sad indictment of the "awful" recruitment, in the words of chairman Jason McGill, that had been overseen by former manager Jackie McNamara during the summer months.
Given the National League's third-biggest budget, McNamara displayed reckless naivety in assembling a group of ill-equipped players who were tasked with winning promotion but were quickly drawn into a relegation dogfight.
Convincing early victories over Woking (4-1) and Solihull (4-0) did offer some hope but perhaps, in hindsight, City met both teams at an opportune time and both certainly grew stronger during the season.
McNamara's team were also heavily reliant on diminutive youngster Aidan Connolly's creative spark and returning striker Richard Brodie's propensity to come up with something out of the ordinary. If either of those two were injured, off-form or unfit, with Brodie far from his peak physical condition, the squad's dependence on too many unproven youngsters and poorly-scouted, part-time players was then sorely exposed.
Away from home, meanwhile, the club's supporters travelled more in forlorn hope, than optimistic anticipation, as a drop in division could herald no improvement in McNamara's dismal form on the road, which would see him end an 11-month reign with no wins outside of North Yorkshire, five draws and 23 defeats.
Such a sorry sequence cast aspersions on the team's organisation and shape and, after a 6-1 defeat at Gateshead provided a contender for lowest point in the club's history, it was superseded by the undeniable 95-year nadir when, in October, a Guiseley team who were still searching for their first victory of the season triumphed by the same scoreline at their modest Nethermoor Park home. Some of the West Yorkshire club's part-time players had rocked up for the match with their boots in carrier bags and, at 4-1, the night game was even delayed for an hour due to floodlight failure. Surprisingly, the lights did not go out on McNamara's time as manager, though, after that debacle.
In between the two thrashings, the former Celtic skipper had suggested that he would consider his future following another disappointing 2-0 defeat at Barrow. After reports that he had not taken training the following Monday were then confirmed by a social media picture of him collecting his new Audi car in Scotland, speculation grew further about his intentions. The Twitter photograph was swiftly deleted by the motor dealership and McNamara returned to work, although the reasons for his absence attracted criticism from some supporters. In the same week, he then appeared in court and was found guilty of the non-payment of a train fare.
With his side's season seemingly careering off the rails following the Guiseley horror show, McNamara announced – to the bewilderment and bemusement of the wider football world – that he would decide whether he remained as manager depending on whether the team picked up a "positive" result in their next game at Braintree.
After Lee Barnard's 88th-minute penalty earned the hosts a 1-1 draw, there then followed a two-day period when fascinated observers waited to see whether such an outcome met the ambiguous requirement. It didn't, it was subsequently decided, but in another twist to the unconventional saga, McNamara would stay on as caretaker manager until a replacement was found.
Following a poor 1-1 FA Cup fourth-qualifying round home draw with Curzon Ashton, that search was swiftly concluded, with McGill and McNamara pictured that Saturday night speaking to Mills in a York hotel and The Press exclusively revealing that the former double-Wembley winner would be returning as manager. In one final abnormal act, though, McNamara would be staying on as chief executive.
Following such turmoil, Mills was refreshingly straightforward in his work, but it would take almost two months – possibly up to the unlucky 1-0 defeat at title hopefuls Tranmere on December 3 – for him to unravel the "absolutely diabolical mess" he had inherited, in his own words.
Initial mistakes in the transfer market, such as Robbie McDaid, Jake Charles and Luke Woodland, all made in haste, were soon followed by a much-welcomed, more credible approach to recruitment.
The likes of Hamza Bencherif, Simon Lappin, Scott Loach, Adriano Moke, Amari Morgan-Smith, Rhys Murphy, Sean Newton, Jon Parkin, Dan Parslow and Aarran Racine would all prove excellent additions to the squad and help the club restore much of its lost pride and respectability.
Even Vadaine Oliver, vilified in all quarters for his lacklustre performances as the team tumbled out of the Football League, returned from a loan spell at Notts County in January to become an integral figure in that recovery.
By then, a 1-0 win at North Ferriby on Boxing Day had heralded the end of a club record-equalling run of 35 games without an away triumph and, from their last 15 matches on the road, City would win six, draw seven and suffer defeat in only two.
Mills had worked hard to rid the club of its losing mentality but that seven-week transition period from one squad to the next, coupled with an improvement in standards at the bottom of the table since City's last non-League stint, meant clawing their way out of trouble proved more problematic.
In the meantime, Mills was plotting another trip to Wembley, as the team spirit he had engendered saw his players negotiate FA Trophy ties against part-timers Worcester, Harlow, Nuneaton and Brackley – before prevailing against eventual league champions and FA Cup quarter-finalists Lincoln by completing an aggregate victory in front of a partisan 8,409 Sincil Bank crowd when sub Scott Fenwick converted his team's only on-target effort of the second leg from the penalty spot in extra time. Rather than a distraction, that triumph seemed to inspire the team, with five of the subsequent seven league fixtures ending in victory to briefly lift the club into a position of safety with three fixtures remaining.
A 3-1 blip at home to Mills' former team Wrexham was capitalised upon by City's relegation rivals, though, which heaped enormous pressure on the final away trip of the season – against a Woking team also fighting the drop.
More unfavourable results meant a 1-1 draw in Surrey – the first points City had let slip in four away matches – left their fate in the hands of others going into a fraught final-day home contest with play-off qualifiers Forest Green. The TV cameras turned up to see attacking talisman Parkin, who would end the season with 13 goals in his last 17 games, twice cancel out goals from his old club and, as long as Guiseley continued to trail a Solihull team that had seen a penalty saved and hit the bar on 87 minutes, then the Minstermen would be safe. It appeared that both teams were happy to play out for a draw, a result that would suit both sides. But a stoppage time own goal by Solihull's Kristian Green sealed City's fate. City needed to score, they didn't. An eerie silence fell over Bootham Crescent as the final whistle blow.
Mills' men would go on to reaffirm the progress made during the current calendar year, though, by defeating ninth-placed Macclesfield for a third time on this country's biggest stage. Having navigated the Road to Wembley for a fifth time in eight years, there is genuine hope that the victory will offer a positive stride on the Road to Redemption.
The Season - Take 3
Simon Lappin, speaking on Jon Parkin's Undr The Cosh podcast (April 2025) said, “I moved back here and it was Hinchy [Craig Hinchcliffe], who was the goalie coach at York that had worked with Jackie [McNamara, former York manager] who said ‘do you fancy coming?’ Gary Mills was the manager at that point. Gary Mills had a million players when I arrived there, and Gary Mills said ‘I’m going to get rid of you’ to 20 lads, not exaggerating 20 lads. He did, and they were all younger lads as well that were maybe not ready for it. I signed there until the end of the season. At the end of my first game Hinchy said ‘wait till you see what we do for away games on Friday’. I asked if we train, and he just said to wait and see! He never told me, I asked the lads what happens on a Friday. We went down to Dover and we got to this pub, Gary Mills said ‘alright lads, in you come, sausage and chips are in there’. I was thinking sausage and chips? Have we no training? £2 in that glass, £2 in this glass, it was killer darts and killer pool. If you wanted a beer, it was no problem, go and have a beer. But the problem was who was going to be the first one to move. I didn’t know any of the lads and we [Lappin and Parkin] didn’t know each other, but from playing against each other we sort of knew each other. You asked if I wanted one and I said I’d have one, I picked it [a beer] up, got it to my neck and he went ‘same again?’. It ended up two or three, then it was carnage, a stag do on the Friday. I was thinking ‘how am I going to play tomorrow?’. It got out of hand far too easily. I snapped my achilles and came along when I was injured once, but we never lost. You could see what he was trying to do with the team bonding, the camaraderie and having the boys together. It just slipped away, because once it went to that third pint, it was game over. The lads had to invest".
On the same show, Parkin shared a story of the performance of Fry after Lappin’s first experience as a part of the drinking plan by Mills, laughing: “He (centre back Matt Fry who made 21 appearances for City during the season) was in the ten pint club. He was a centre-half, both goals were his fault, we were losing 2-1 at half-time. He didn’t help himself because at one point he had got Gary Mills, the manager, Darren Caskey, the assistant manager, under both arms saying ‘I’m going to be your captain’. He was quite as a mouse [when sober]. I remember looking at him in the warm-up and he was as white as a ghost. He didn’t last the 90.”
Lappin then shared his thoughts on the relegation which followed in that season, when City suffered their unfortunate fate of dropping into the Vanarama National League North, where they would remain until 2022. He firmly believed that the Minstermen could have been safe had they hit form at an earlier point than they did, and spoke on the atmosphere inside Bootham Crescent when their relegation was confirmed. Someone scored an own goal on the last day of the season somewhere else and it cost us (we were relegated). I’ve never seen a stadium so quiet, it wasn’t like booming, it was the weirdest thing ever. There wasn’t shouts of ‘you’re not good enough’, it was just really strange, but horrible. We had the group to do it, but it was maybe just too late once we got a run together.”
The Players
BEN BARBER Made one appearance following summer move from Stoke during the 6-1 Guiseley debacle. Not the worst player on show that evening but did not look a better option at left back than Alex Whittle. Gary Mills made swift decision to transfer list him following arrival as manager. Appearances: 1 (0); Goals: 0; Rating: 4/10
HAMZA BENCHERIF Dependable and strong addition to the team following January arrival from Wrexham. Given the odd problem by pace but largely slotted in well as the central figure of the back three following injury to Yan Klukowski. Could have perhaps contributed more at attacking set-pieces given his height. Appearances: 21 (0); Goals: 0; Rating: 7/10
RICHARD BRODIE Clearly unfit on rejoining the club, the much-travelled marksman nevertheless ensured the team avoided an even poorer start than might have been the case had he not been leading the line. Linking up well with Aidan Connolly to mask other deficiencies in the squad, he scored some truly spectacular goals, netting in five consecutive matches. But discipline remained a problem as referees were forever reaching inside their pocket and the writing was on the wall when Mills returned as manager and quickly looked to offload the then top scorer. Appearances: 15 (6); Goals: 7; Rating: 6/10
ALEX BRUTON Teenage youth-team graduate who was given his debut as a substitute during a difficult afternoon at Bromley. Most agreed the 3-0 home win was a classic case of men against boys, with the likes of lightweight quartet Bruton, Robbie McDaid, Callum Rzonca and Jake Charles offering little attacking presence. Not risked again in the unforgiving environment of National League football. Appearances: 0 (1); Goals: 0; Rating: 5/10
JAKE CHARLES The grandson of former Leeds United, Juventus and Wales great John was more gentle than giant following his brief loan spell from Barnsley. Could not impose himself on games. Looked overwhelmed by step up from development football. Appearances: 2 (0); Goals: 0; Rating: 2/10
BEN CLAPPISON Adequate with the ball at his feet but struggled when put under defensive pressure, as evidenced most painfully during 6-1 horror show against Guiseley. Looked lost when given the responsibility of a midfield anchorman role that night. Pace of step up from reserve team outings at Hull proved too much and he was loaned out to Boston. Appearances: 9 (1); Goals: 0; Rating: 3/10
FRANKLYN CLARKE Must have been as surprised as everybody else when a trial from the football backwaters of Dorchester Town saw him swiftly offered a contract at Bootham Crescent. Found wanting on his two subsequent first team appearances in midfield. Gone, almost as quickly as he had arrived, when Mills decided it was time for him to return to the south and part-time football with Salisbury. Appearances: 1 (1); Goals: 0; Rating: 2/10
AIDAN CONNOLLY Worked well in tandem with Brodie during first month of campaign when Premier League hopefuls Reading were monitoring his progress. Racked up assists during those early games and terrorised the defences of Woking and Solihull, as they were finding their feet in the opening weeks. Found it hard to find a place in Mills' 3-4-3 formation, though, when team play was prioritised over a strong dependency on one individual, whose absence was keenly felt when he picked up an October injury. Appearances: 16 (8); Goals: 5; Rating: 6/10
CHARLIE COOPER Tidy feet, without really hurting opposition teams. Perhaps lacked the battling qualities needed in a dogfight. Following brief loan spell from Birmingham, went on to team up with his father Mark at Forest Green and impressed during the play-off final Wembley win over Tranmere. Appearances: 5 (0); Goals: 0; Rating: 5/10
MATT DIXON Good attitude but too many games passed him by when given his chance in midfield. Did well during a 2-1 defeat at Forest Green but his forward surges in that match were conspicuous by their absence in other games. Next to anonymous in many of his other 13 appearances and allowed to leave for North Ferriby by Mills. Appearances: 10 (4); Goals: 0; Rating: 3/10
KAINE FELIX Could not always combine his devastating pace with a reliable final product. Decision-making was that of a semi-professional player too, rather than a full-time footballer. Farmed out by Mills within a month of his return as manager. Appearances: 6 (8); Goals: 0; Rating: 4/10
SCOTT FENWICK Showed ice-cool nerve to convert the match-winning penalty at Lincoln that sent his team to Wembley in the FA Trophy final. But that contribution, along with an unlikely comeback-inspiring header at Sutton, were the only highlights of an otherwise underwhelming campaign. Brought in last summer with the hope that he would be the team's biggest goal threat but managed to net just twice in open play during 29 outings. Appearances: 11 (18); Goals: 3; Rating: 4/10
SAM FIELDING Coped well when thrown in during the most difficult of circumstances during Jackie McNamara's final game in charge at Braintree and subsequent one-match caretaker reign for the FA Cup home tie with Curzon Ashton. Not intimidated by the robust challenge of senior football despite his skinny frame and strong enough mentally to assume set-piece responsibility. Delivered well from dead balls too and, hopefully, one for the future. Appearances: 2 (0); Goals: 0; Rating: 6/10
SCOTT FLINDERS Started the season in goal, before incurring a five-game ban after being found guilty of racial abuse. Subsequently lost his place to Kyle Letheren and was loaned out to Macclesfield. Recalled by Mills and did well for a spell but allowed to leave again for Moss Rose after struggling in a 4-1 home defeat to Lincoln. Appearances: 8 (1); Goals: 0; Rating: 5/10
MATT FRY Failed to fulfil expectations after arrival from a Braintree team that had reached the previous season's play-offs with the division's best goals-against record. Intelligent, affable and professional but looked vulnerable defensively, conceding too many penalties and spending too much time on his backside for a centre back. Also had his problems with injuries. Appearances: 22 (1); Goals: 0; Rating: 3/10
DANNY GALBRAITH As during the previous season, promise suggested by the odd flash of talent could not be converted into a consistent run of performances. A spectacular goal against Chester proved his only telling moment of the campaign. Struggled with injury throughout and soon told he had no future at the club under Mills. Appearances: 7 (2); Goals: 1; Rating: 3/10
ASA HALL Offered more height in the team following his loan move from Cheltenham. Sometimes looked a little off speed in midfield. Long-range shooting was unreliable and wayward. Appearances: 16 (0); Goals: 1; Rating: 5/10
SIMON HESLOP Status as skipper was questioned, even by manager Mills, but gave captain's performances in high-stakes matches such as the final-day clash against Forest Green and FA Trophy semi-final second leg at Lincoln. Weighed in with a handful of goals. Also worked hard for the team when switched to a less-preferred right-wing back role. Appearances: 52 (0); Goals: 5; Rating: 6/10
JACK HIGGINS Wore his heart on his sleeve and could be dominant in the air at his best. At other times lacked defensive discipline at set-pieces and struggled when asked to play out from the back. Step up from a leaky Stalybridge defence proved too much and went on to spend last six months of the season at fellow-relegated outfit Southport. Appearances: 17 (0); Goals: 0; Rating: 5/10
DANNY HOLMES Willing performer in a number of different roles, including in a surprise left-wing back role that saw him have hand in both the Minstermen's opening FA Trophy final goals. Often played second fiddle to others in the pecking order for positions in defence, out wide and midfield. But showed his worth in the 2-0 win at Chester with a brilliant goal-saving tackle and spectacular goal. Appearances: 19 (8); Goals: 1; Rating: 6/10
JUSTIN JOHNSON Signed to get bums off seats by former boss McNamara but spent most of his time on his own backside in the stand. Looked naive and raw during his limited outings. Unwanted by Mills, who didn't name him in a single match-day squad. Appearances: 2 (3); Goals: 0; Rating: 3/10
CLOVIS KAMDJO Showed erratic midfield form during early weeks of season, when he was often found wanting in possession. Needed to move ball around quicker. Exposed terribly when moved into defence during the 6-1 thrashing at Guiseley, before season ended prematurely after suffering cruciate ligament damage in November. Appearances: 14 (2); Goals: 1; Rating: 3/10
YAN KLUKOWSKI Transformed when moved into the middle of defence by Mills three months into the season. Had never played at the back but his intelligent reading of the game and technical qualities made him an inspired choice as the ball-playing sweeper in City's back three. Prior to Mills' arrival, he had been ineffective in too many matches as a midfielder. Appearances: 29 (3); Goals: 3; Rating: 6/10
SIMON LAPPIN Former Premier League midfielder added a touch of class to City's play with his reliable range of passing following his November arrival. Dangerous from dead balls, he also never shirked a challenge, while holding his shape effortlessly in an anchoring role. Forged a good understanding with Sean Newton in the middle of the park that was sorely missed when his campaign was curtailed in February by a ruptured Achilles. Appearances: 9 (0); Goals: 0; Rating: 7/10
KYLE LETHEREN Made a string of saves during the season that won his team several points at crucial moments in games. Often over-worked until the team's mid-season improvement under Mills. Nevertheless, responded well and, although his errors seemed to come during a brief uncertain period, he made fewer mistakes than most and was unlucky not to feature in the final nine league games after the club were able to recruit experienced former Championship campaigner Scott Loach. Appearances: 36 (0); Goals: 0; Rating: 7/10
SCOTT LOACH Ex-England under-21 international who showed excellent commitment to the cause after being drafted in for the dogfight during the final five weeks of the campaign. Displayed sharp reflexes when he came under pressure during the nervy 2-1 Good Friday win at Solihull. Also a capable kicker and reliable organiser. Appearances: 9 (0); Goals: 0; Rating: 7/10
ROBBIE McDAID Came in disappointed that he had never been given a chance in the Championship with previous club Leeds but was soon given a reality check when he found the going tough at National League level. Lacked sharpness and incision in attack. Could not fulfil Mills' initial expectations and loaned out to Chorley. Appearances: 5 (1); Goals: 0; Rating: 2/10
ADRIANO MOKE At 27, there still seems uncertainty surrounding the former Glenn Hoddle Academy graduate's most natural game. Proved himself as an accomplished retainer of possession when used in a central-midfield role, although sometimes had a propensity to play safe rather than hurt the opposition. Also demonstrated in his FA Trophy semi-final cameos against Lincoln that he can still hurt teams with explosive forward bursts but could not hold down a starting place during the crucial run-in. Appearances: 16 (8); Goals: 0; Rating: 6/10
AMARI MORGAN-SMITH Worked prodigiously hard and showed admirable unselfishness to sacrifice his own desire to score goals by providing much of the leg work that allowed Jon Parkin to concentrate on putting the ball in the back of the net. At times, his industry perhaps affected his ability to make more incisive runs beyond defences. But closed down and harried as well as anybody in the side. Appearances: 24 (0); Goals: 6; Rating: 7/10
SAM MUGGLETON His prodigious long throw was met by gasps from every set of unsuspecting opposition supporters on first viewing. When hailed from the bench, he was an immediate provider of assists, with the likes of Parkin and Vadaine Oliver grateful targets for his abnormal touchline talent. Also proved he could play a bit when given his first start on the season's final day against Forest Green. Appearances: 1 (7); Goals: 0; Rating: 6/10
FRASER MURDOCH Woefully short of match fitness on his September arrival after a long spell on the sidelines following serious injury. Unable to overcome that handicap during two substitute outings. Among first to be offloaded after Mills' reappointment. Appearances: 0 (2); Goals: 0; Rating: 2/10
RHYS MURPHY Linked up well with Parkin during their first couple of outings together. Suffered a little, though, following a couple of important, glaring misses. Returned to parent club Forest Green after a month, before moving on to Football League outfit Crawley. Appearances: 6 (0); Goals: 1; Rating: 6/10
SEAN NEWTON Mills would have cloned his former Wrexham utility man if possible. Performing just as well when selected in defence, out wide or in midfield, he even threatened when employed as an emergency striker. Never gave less than 100 per cent and his stoppage-time winner at home to Barrow, a numberless shirt following a bad nose bleed, proved a season highlight. Post season, Ebbsfleet offered money for him and penniless Motherwell made a request to sign him on a free transfer. He turned down the Fleet option (distance / travel reasons) and City then refused to sanction a free move up north. Appearances: 35 (0); Goals: 3; Rating: 7/10
DANIEL NTI One goal and no assists from 19 first-team appearances tells the story of the former Worcester winger's struggles at National League level. Never featured again after a torrid afternoon deputising at centre forward when Parkin was not risked on Harlow's 3G pitch. Looked cowed by the club's expectations, with his first touch and final pass never convincing. Appearances: 7 (12); Goals: 1; Rating: 3/10
VADAINE OLIVER Came back to City a little sheepishly, having made it clear at the end of the previous season that he wanted to move on after a poor second half of the campaign. A subsequent six-month loan spell at Notts County followed but he was sent back to Bootham Crescent and given a second chance by Mills. Then showed admirable character to win back the support of uncertain fans and earned redemption with a series of whole-hearted displays and well-taken goals. Appearances: 22 (1); Goals: 10; Rating: 7/10
LANRE OYEBANJO An injury ravaged campaign restricted him to just five starts. Never looked comfortable during those outings. Played no part from the end of February. Appearances: 5 (2); Goals: 0; Rating: 4/10
JON PARKIN Did all he could to try and keep the club up and avoid a first career relegation during the closing weeks of the campaign. Netted 12 times in his last 14 games and, despite only arriving in December, his final tally of 16 goals was the best return from any City player for five years. A marksman of the highest pedigree, who remains lethal in front of goal at 35. Appearances: 28 (0); Goals: 16; Rating: 7/10
DAN PARSLOW City stalwart who slotted in as if he had never been away on his return to North Yorkshire in January. A model of consistency, the former Welsh under-21 international remains happy for others to hog the headlines while he goes quietly about his business. Unflustered when required to play on his less natural left side and any mistakes are difficult to recall. Appearances: 23 (0); Goals: 0; Rating: 7/10
AARRAN RACINE Man mountain of a defender who came out on top in all his physical contests during a one-month loan spell. Excellent in the air with a no-thrills approach on the deck. Moved on to Torquay, where his season was cruelly ended by serious injury. Appearances: 5 (0); Goals: 1; Rating: 7/10
JOSH ROBINSON Looked ill prepared for the pace and power of National League football following his arrival across the Irish Sea. Badly exposed during his handful of outings, most notably during his final game, a hapless substitute cameo at Barrow. Spent most of campaign on loan at Boston. Appearances: 2 (3); Goals: 0; Rating: 2/10
SHAUN ROONEY Has all the physical attributes to excel as a right wing back but lacked the anticipation needed to become a dependable defender. Such lapses were regularly punished and needs to work on his game intelligence to progress in the game. Difficult to trust him in a game situation otherwise. Appearances: 33 (5); Goals: 1; Rating: 4/10
CALLUM RZONCA Scored a spectacular goal after coming off bench against Guiseley. Couldn't make as big an impact during nine other outings and given just one start in a 2-2 draw with Chester. Told he had no future at club after North Riding Cup reserve defeat at Whitby. Appearances: 1 (9); Goals: 1; Rating: 4/10
LUKE SIMPSON Let nobody down on his debut at Forest Green before Letheren was brought in as first choice. Also saved a penalty at Curzon Ashton when the latter was injured but looked a little unsure with high balls into his box. Overlooked again when Mills decided to draft Loach in to cover for another Letheren absence before the transfer deadline. Appearances: 1 (1); Goals: 0; Rating: 5/10
REECE THOMPSON Restricted to one substitute outing against Woking before being moved on to North Ferriby. Would return to Bootham Crescent and score the winning goal for City's relegation rivals on New Year's Day. Then relished the opportunity to rub home fans' noses in it at the David Longhurst End. Appearances: 0 (1); Goals: 0; Rating: 4/10
TYLER WALTON Given his debut as a teenage substitute at Torquay. Not afraid to get on the ball and wasn't intimidated by physical side of game. Might have distributed a little better. Appearances: 0 (1); Goals: 0; Rating: 5/10
ALEX WHITTLE Full of energy up and down left flank. Very few wingers got the better of him. Might have caused more damage in final third but a reliable provider of crosses from wide positions. Appearances: 45 (3); Goals: 0; Rating: 7/10
LUKE WOODLAND Out of his depth during sole City start in comprehensive 3-0 defeat at Bromley. Looked ill equipped for National League battle. Soon deemed surplus to requirements. Appearances: 1 (2); Goals: 0; Rating: 2/10
JAKE WRIGHT Tenacious striker whose aggression sometimes overstepped the mark. Gave plenty of effort though and offered a goal threat. Went back to parent club Sheffield United, having acquitted himself adequately without pulling up too many trees. Appearances: 6 (1); Goals: 1; Rating: 5/10
Goals: Parkin 16, Oliver 10, Brodie 7, Morgan-Smith 6, Connolly 5, Heslop 5, Fenwick 3, Klukowski 3, Newton 3, Fry 2, Own Goals 2, Galbraith 1, Hall 1, Holmes 1, Kamdjo 1, Lappin 1, Murphy 1, Nti 1, Racine 1, Rooney 1, Rzonca 1, Wright 1.
Assists: Parkin 10, Connolly 7, Morgan-Smith 6, Newton 6, Oliver 5, Rooney 4, Heslop 3, Holmes 3, Klukowski 3, Bencherif 2, Felix 2, Galbraith 2, Hall 2, Moke 2, Muggleton 2, Parslow 2, Whittle 2, Wright 2, Cooper 1, Fenwick 1, Fry 1, Higgins 1, Murphy 1, Racine 1.
Cards: Rooney 11 yellow cards; Brodie nine yellow; Heslop one red, seven yellow; Newton seven yellow; Fenwick, Oliver both six yellow; Parkin one red, four yellow; Higgins, Morgan-Smith both five yellow; Fry, Whittle both four yellow; Holmes, Nti both one red, two yellow; Bencherif, Klukowski, Wright all three yellow; Connolly, Hall, Kamdjo, Muggleton all two yellow; Moke one red; Clappison, Dixon, Galbraith, Johnson, Lappin, Letheren, McDaid, Murphy, Parslow, Racine, Thompson all one yellow.
National League Attendances 2016/7
At 2,558, City had the 4th highest National League average home attendance for the season. Tranmere, with 5,173, topped that table, very narrowly beating Lincoln.
In National League North, the top 2 average attendances were Stockport County (3,477) and FC United of Manchester (2,667), both topping City’s average.
For all the details see European Football Statistics, a wonderful web site.
Agents' Fees
FA figures show 12 National League clubs paid a total of £271,065 to registered intermediaries during that one-year period between February 2, 2016 and January 31, 2017.
Top of the list are Forest Green Rovers who handed over £174,613, more than every club bar Portsmouth in League Two and more than most in League One.
The full list of agents' fees paid by National League clubs is:
2016/7 - City's Keepers
Scott Flinders was the only player in the starting eleven on the opening day of the season at Maidstone not to be making his City debut. He kept his place for 4 games until the 6-1 defeat at Gateshead. Summer signing, Luke Simpson made his debut in the next game, a 2-1 defeat at Forest Green. It appeared a satisfactory debut, but City signed Kyle Letheren (having failed to sign Scott Loach), son of the 1970s Leeds keeper, Glan. He made his debut the following weekend at home to Woking and kept his place until succumbing to injury and missing the FA Cup replay defeat at Curzon. Simpson deputised. Letheren was recalled for the next game, a 1-1 home draw with Chester before being subbed 12 minutes into the defeat 3 days later at Southport. Flinders (and with a loan spell at Macclesfield since his last City game) came on and played the remainder of that game and the next 4 until Letheren returned from injury at Bromley in late November.
Shortly afterwards, Flinders left the club for Macclesfield, a move that at one stage seemed unlikely as Macclesfield were struggling to meet his wage expectations following his earlier loan spell.
Letheren maintained his place until late March, when his back complaint worsened. Immediately, Gary Mills signed Scott Loach on loan and he made his debut on a windy day at Dagenham, the first of 9 consecutive games as City’s bid to avoid relegation was unsuccessful. Ineligible for The FA Trophy, he left the club after the last league game. Letheren was recalled for The FA Trophy Final at Wembley. Although he didn’t cover himself in glory, City won 3-2. The post match reaction of opposition keeper, Scott Flinders on receiving his loser’s medal suggested that he held no feelings of affection for the York management.
Scott Flinders - "Not Your Kind"?
York City’s keeper, Scott Flinders is alleged to have said “she (his wife) doesn’t like your kind” to AFC Wimbledon striker Lyle Taylor in a goalmouth incident during the game between the sides in March 2016. In August 2016, The FA found him guilty of racial abuse and gave him the minimum 5 game ban for racial abuse for those words.
The hearing determined that Taylor grabbed Finders’ testicles. No one disputed that. Flinders asked why, Taylor responded, “because your missus doesn’t” and then Flinders is deemed to have said, “she (Flinders’ wife) doesn’t like your kind”. All parties agreed on this version of events except for Flinders denying saying the final words but being unable to recall his exact words. Taylor believed the words to be of a racial nature. Flinders denies using those words. Taylor was unable to supply any witness who heard them and it was his own interpretation of “kind” that the hearing accepted was of a racial nature.
The first Flinders knew of the accusation was about 2 weeks (and probably 3 games) after the incident. Taylor had reported the incident to the referee at the time and immediately after the game advised his management team and made his formal case to the match referee. The hearing determined that York had left the ground before the incident could be reported to them. From The FA findings, its unclear when York first knew about it.
Whilst a FA hearing works on the balance of probability, rather than the higher requirements of guilt needed in the court of the land, this case does seem to have stooped to a new low. The hearing report finds Taylor to be a credible witness, someone who openly admits to sexual assault and denigrating another player’s wife, but noted inconsistencies in Flinders’ evidence. At the time, no press match reports seem to have mentioned the incident.
Where, also, is the logic or justice of the complainant Lyle Taylor getting off scot free? He assaulted Flinders by grabbing his testicles, a serious assault, and a cowardly, dangerous and contemptible one. If Taylor had done the same on a Saturday night on Micklegate, he‘d be probably looking at a a court appearance, a fine and being placed on the sex offenders register. Taylor’s so called defence, that he only intended to foul Flinders by pulling his shorts, in clear breach of the rules of the game, is ludicrous and pathetic. When Flinders remonstrated, he responded with a crude, offensive and stupid sexual insult. Yet, this character is described by the FA as a “reliable witness.”
There seems no dispute about these facts. The only dispute is over what Flinders said next. He says he can’t remember. Considering he wasn’t asked until 2 weeks after the event,. that he was understandably and justifiably offended and angry, it’s quite believable that he doesn’t. As for his reference to “your kind,” did he mean black people (in which case a ban would be in order) or did he mean cheating, fouling scoundrels who deliberately inflict pain and the risk of injury upon their one of fellow-professionals? How should I, or anyone else, know? Flinders accepted that his remark could be construed as racist, and that’s very frank and honest of him; but it could just as readily be construed as a colour blind condemnation of foul play.
I’m not sure my club York City, come out of it well. It might have been better if Flinders had had more support at the hearing. Craig Hinchcliffe (goalkeeping coach) and William Boyle (an ex loanee who played in the game) gave phone evidence, out of sequence, and Lisa Charlton, the club secretary, gave a character witness whereas AFC Wimbledon had their manager and assistant manager giving evidence in person. Equally, Scott Flinders probably didn’t help himself, the hearing found inconsistencies in his evidence and he agreed that if the words had been said, he would consider them to be racist. Although, if my testicles had been squeezed and my wife denigrated, I don’t think I’d like that kind of man.
The events leading up to the finals words are tantamount to severe provocation and the lack of any supporting witnesses means it is just one person’s words which proved crucial and then, it is his own interpretation of “your kind” as being of a racist nature. Taylor, who admits grabbing Flinders’ testicles, a clear case of sexual assault and making a derogatory comment about Flinders ‘ wife, faces no sanction. Flinders, who the hearing deemed to have said “she doesn’t like your kind” which in the opinion of Taylor and the hearing was a racist insult gets a 5 game ban, which the hearing noted was the minimum sanction for such an offence.
Whilst everyone takes racism seriously, this case does seem to set a new low. Just one person heard the words, what many might consider non racist words.
The case makes a mockery of the good work the FA is doing to stamp out all forms of discrimination. The report states that evidence was taken out of order, York probably weren’t helped by having to travel down to London whilst for AFC Wimbledon it was a short journey across London to be present. The commission’s report doesn’t even get the date of the game right!
I await the day National Rail are accused of racism when they attribute delays to “the wrong kind of snow”.
Contrast this to the Andre Gray case a month later. Gray was charged under the same FA rules on 6 accounts of making homophobic tweets 4 years earlier. Gray pleaded guilty on 3 accounts and was found guilty on the other 3 accounts. His sanction for being guilty of 6 charges? A 4 game ban, one under the minimum. explain that. Admittedly, Gray received a larger fine, but this is invariably based on a player’s wage.
PS I’m sure many readers will recall York City being the 92 club not to sign up to an earlier in 1993 kick it out initiative. At the time, I was in the ground on 2 separate match days when the club addressed racism. Once when the chairman on the pitch pre-match making a presentation, in his Scottish accent, pointed towards the home fans and said “cut it out” or similar in his brusque Scottish tones and on another day when the club secretary, Keith Usher, come over the tannoy during a game and ask “gentlemen refrain” in his best Brian Clough impersonation. Much later, in February 2014, York City became one of the first League clubs to designate an official “Football versus Homophobia” fixture in support of the annual “LGBT” month long awareness campaign.
PPS In his defence, Andre Gray admitted he was a change person in the last 4 years and that can be evidenced in recent tweets condoning his own fans behaviour against Bradford.
Intermediates
The intermediate side saw a slight upturn in form. By the end of August, they'd got more league points than they achieved in the whole of the previous season.
Former youth player, Callum Rconza was a first team squad member, a spectacular goal against Guiseley being his early season highlight. Current youth players, Sam Fielding and Alex Bruton, both played in the first team, a heartening improvement on many recent seasons, although given the fight against relegation, chances were confined to the first half of the season.
In The FA Youth Cup, after 2 easy preliminary round wins, City went out in Round 1 losing away to FC Halifax after penalties. The Under 18s beat Garforth 6-0 (October 5; Reece Breslin (2), Tyler Walton, Sam Fielding, Alex Brutton and Josh Berry) and Barton Town Old Boys 9 -0 (October 18; Flynn McNaughton (2), Alex Bruton (2), Noah Jackson (2), Aaron Haswell, Charlie Wardle and Zac Lawrence) in the 9-0 victory) to reach Round 1. City’s Under-18s were knocked out in Round 1 of the FA Youth Cup after losing 4-3 on penalties to FC Halifax Town (November 2). A superb solo goal from Alex Bruton, after a 50 yard run from inside his own half, and a powerful curling free-kick from left-back Zac Lawrence gave City a 2-0 lead against Town going into stoppage time. A dramatic fightback from the home side saw strikes from Jack Johnson and Josh Debenham take the tie to extra time. City should have put themselves ahead once more in the extra period, Bruton rattling the crossbar with a thunderous strike from distance. Substitute Ryan Edmondson was there for the rebound, but he couldn’t control his header as it went agonisingly wide. A strong save from Town goalkeeper Kyle Trenerry to deny Bruton from the spot was enough to see them through, 4-3 on penalties, to the next round.
FC Halifax Town Under-18s: Kyle Trenerry, Jack Knight (Alex Moloney, 86’), Reece Kendall, Jake Thompson, Jack Johnson (c), Brad Swain, Kelan Swales, Liam Healey (Jacob Heatley, 79’), Josh Debenham, Marko Basic, James Sunderland. Subs: Jack Atkinson, Alex Moloney, Liam Harker, Jacob Heatley, Eion Schofield.
York City Under-18s: Joe Wilton, Joe Kemp (Dan Hartley, 61’), Zac Lawrence, Tyler Walton (Charlie Wardle, 73’), Josh Rogerson, Aaron Brettell (c), Alex Bruton, Sam Fielding, Flynn McNaughton (Ryan Edmondson, 67’), Aaron Haswell, Noah Jackson. Subs: Josh Berry, Kyle Tranter, Charlie Wardle, Ryan Edmondson, Dan Hartley.
Reserves
City entered The Central League, competing in a 6 team league. The games, together with a few friendlies, gave invaluable competitive football to the fringe players, something they'd lacked in previous seasons. Jackie McNamara being impressed by Sam Fielding in a couple of early season reserve games before promoting him to the first team. On the down side, an impressive 2 goal performance against Chesterfield saw Fraser Murdoch earn a contract.
In The North Riding Senior Cup, City were knocked out in their first game, a quarter final tie, losing 3-1 at Whitby. Fielding a strong side, it was a dissappointing performance, effectively ending the Ciy career's of several professionals. Vadaine Oliver being a notable exception on his return from his loan spell at Notts County.
Date Opponents Competition Venue Result September 5 Hartlepool League A L 2-1 September 20 Chesterfield League H W 3-1 October 11 Grimsby League A L 1-3 November 4 Leeds U23 Friendly H W 4-2 November 9 Mansfield League H W 3-0 November 15 Rotherham League A W 2-0 December 6 Rotherham League H L 0-1 January 10 Whitby NRSC QF A L 1-3 January 25 Mansfield League A L 2-4 February 15 Grimsby League H Postponed (Waterlogged pitch) February 22 Chesterfield League A L 0-1 March 7 Hartlepool League H L 1-2 April 4 Grimsby League H D 0-0
NB Home games played at Wiggington Road. Away games generally not played at the opponents' home ground. Fixtures subject to change, so check before travelling.
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