Recently I lost a relative who was a big York City fan and loved his football and sport.
He was someone who, when I was younger, dedicated a lot of time to being a steward at the football at Bootham Crescent, and I always remember him being one of the first faces I’d see as I walked through the car park. When I think back, my dad also told me tales of when he used to do the doors for the city supporters club and the stories I’ve been told over the years. The recent completion of the sale of Bootham Crescent and the move to the new stadium has really made me think of all the history that goes before it and the tales others must have themselves like I’ve read on social media over the last year or so. It’s a special place. My mum and dad met in the supporters club too. It was always a proper family affair and a hub for the local community where everyone would go. I’ve said before that football is only part of it. Meeting up with friends and family is an even bigger way of life too. The club being on my doorstep throughout life has meant a lot to myself and my family over the years and the deal now having gone through will see a real change in landscape. Looking forward now that the sale has gone through and focusing back on the club now is what happens next? The building of relationships between the Supporters Trust and the chairman certainly seems to be very optimistic. The full extent of Jason McGill’s future will be an interesting one as to whether he continues to lead the club going forward with now permanent manager John Askey into a new era for the club or if a new man comes in to take over. Whatever does happen though, the future feels brighter and finally, things seem to be heading in a much more positive direction. But it’s not over yet. As I write this column, it feels like the playoffs will be a massive push this season. We’ve been on a cracking run and if anyone had said to me before Askey took charge that we would be in contention for the playoffs this season I’d have snapped your hand off! That’s not me happy with underachieving, it is more of how this season has come and again gone without a lot of success. It’s been a poor season overall and the need to do better for promotion in whatever league we are in next season is the ultimate ambition all round. The need for better recruitment is the most important thing. The last two seasons have definitely shown we have not managed to get the recruitment right and the players that will remain come to the end of the season. I think everyone has questioned many areas of the team but a revamp of the forward line is desirable, with more goals needed and keeping hold of the likes of Jameson, Kuogon and Wright is key to what we will do next season if they are open to staying with this project. There will definitely be some surprises I imagine too as there always are but whatever happens I believe in what Askey is building, whatever division we’re in.
The club is a real sleeping giant and right now the new stadium and the coming months could be the biggest since the club was formed. Then again we could just be being lured into a false sense of security and another false dawn lies ahead again next season…
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