York City F.C.
Template:Short description Template:Redirect Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Featured article Template:Infobox football club York City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of York, North Yorkshire, England. The team competes in the National League, the fifth level of the English football league system, as of the 2025–26 season.
Founded in 1922, the club played seven seasons in non-League football before joining the Football League. York played in the Third Division North and Fourth Division until 1959, when they were promoted for the first time. York achieved their best run in the FA Cup in 1954–55, when they met Newcastle United in the semi-final. They fluctuated between the Third and Fourth Divisions, before spending two seasons in the Second Division in the 1970s. York first played at Wembley Stadium in 1993, when they won the Third Division play-off final. At the end of 2003–04, they lost their Football League status after being relegated from the Third Division. The 2011–12 FA Trophy was the first national knockout competition won by York, and they returned to the Football League that season before being relegated back into non-League football in 2016.
York are nicknamed the Minstermen, after York Minster, and the team traditionally play in red kits. They played at Fulfordgate from 1922 to 1932, when they moved to Bootham Crescent, their home for 88 years. This ground had been subject to numerous improvements over the years, but the club lost ownership of it when it was transferred to a holding company in 1999. York bought it back five years later, but the terms of the loan used to do so necessitated a move to a new ground. They moved into their current ground, the York Community Stadium, in 2021. York have had rivalries with numerous clubs, but their traditional rivals are Hull City and Scarborough. The club's record appearance holder is Barry Jackson, who made 539 appearances, while their leading scorer is Norman Wilkinson, with 143 goals.
History
1922–1946: Foundation and establishment in Football League
The club was founded with the formation of the York City Association Football and Athletic Club Limited in May 1922<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and subsequently gained admission to the Midland League.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> York ranked in 19th place in 1922–23 and 1923–24,<ref name="FCHD">Template:Cite web</ref> and entered the FA Cup for the first time in the latter.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> York played in the Midland League for seven seasons, achieving a highest finish of sixth, in 1924–25 and 1926–27.<ref name=FCHD/> They surpassed the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup for the first time in 1926–27, when they were beaten 2–1 by Second Division club Grimsby Town in the second round.<ref name=FCHD/> The club made its first serious attempt for election to the Football League in May 1927, but this was unsuccessful as Barrow and Accrington Stanley were re-elected.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, the club was successful two years later, being elected to the Football League in June 1929 to replace Ashington in the Third Division North.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
York won 2–0 against Wigan Borough in their first match in the Football League,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and finished 1929–30 sixth in the Third Division North.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Three years later, York only avoided having to seek re-election after winning the last match of 1932–33.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In the 1937–38 FA Cup, they eliminated First Division teams West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough, and drew 0–0 at home to Huddersfield Town in the sixth round, before losing the replay 2–1 at Leeds Road.<ref name=CompleteRecord268>Template:Cite book</ref> York had been challenging for promotion in 1937–38 before faltering in the closing weeks, and in the following season only avoided having to apply for re-election with victory in the penultimate match.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> They participated in the regional competitions organised by the Football League<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> upon the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> York played in wartime competitions for seven seasons,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and in 1942 won the Combined Counties Cup.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
1946–1981: FA Cup run, promotion and relegations
Peacetime football resumed in 1946–47 and York finished the next three seasons in midtable.<ref name=FCHD/> However, they were forced to apply for re-election for the first time<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> after finishing bottom of the Third Division North in 1949–50.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> York pursued promotion in 1952–53, before finishing fourth with 53 points, which were new club records in the Football League.<ref name=FCHD/> The club's longest cup run came when they reached the semi-final of the 1954–55 FA Cup, a campaign in which Arthur Bottom scored eight goals.<ref name=Bottom>Template:Cite news</ref> In the semi-final, York drew 1–1 with Newcastle United at Hillsborough, before being beaten 2–0 at Roker Park in the replay.<ref name=Bottom/> This meant York had become the first third-tier club to play in an FA Cup semi-final replay.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> With a 13th-place finish in 1957–58, York became founder members of the Fourth Division, while the clubs finishing in the top half of the North and South sections formed the new Third Division.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
York only missed out on the runners-up spot in 1958–59 on goal average,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and were promoted for the first time in third place.<ref name=FCHD/> However, they were relegated from the Third Division after just one season in 1959–60.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> York's best run in the League Cup came in 1961–62, the competition's second season, after reaching the fifth round.<ref name=FCHD/> They were beaten 2–1 by divisional rivals Rochdale.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> York had to apply for re-election for the second time<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> after finishing 22nd in 1963–64,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but achieved a second promotion the next season, again in third place in the Fourth Division.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> York were again relegated after one season, finishing bottom of the Third Division in 1965–66.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The club was forced to apply for re-election in three successive seasons, from 1966–67 to 1968–69,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> after finishing in the bottom four of the Fourth Division in each of those seasons.<ref name=FCHD/> York's record of earning promotion every six years was maintained in 1970–71,<ref name=FCHD/> with a fourth-place finish in the Fourth Division.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
York avoided relegation from the Third Division in 1971–72 and 1972–73, albeit only on goal average in both seasons.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After these two seasons they hit form in 1973–74, when "three up, three down" was introduced to the top three divisions.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> After being among the leaders most of the season,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> York were promoted to the Second Division for the first time in third place.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The club's highest-ever league placing was achieved in mid October 1974 when York were fifth in the Second Division,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and they finished 1974–75 in 15th place.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> York finished in 21st place the following season, and were relegated back to the Third Division.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> York dropped further still, being relegated in 1976–77 after finishing bottom of the Third Division.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The 1977–78 season culminated in the club being forced to apply for re-election for the sixth time,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> after ranking third from bottom in the Fourth Division.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Two midtable finishes followed<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> before York made their seventh application for re-election,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> after they finished bottom of the Fourth Division in 1980–81.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
1981–2004: Further promotions and relegation from Football League
In 1981–82, York endured a club-record run of 12 home matches without victory, but only missed out on promotion in 1982–83 due to their poor away form in the second half of the season.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> York won the Fourth Division championship with 101 points in 1983–84,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> becoming the first Football League team to achieve a three-figure points total in a season.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In January 1985, York recorded a 1–0 home victory over First Division Arsenal in the fourth round of the 1984–85 FA Cup, courtesy of an 89th-minute penalty scored by Keith Houchen.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They proceeded to draw 1–1 at home with European Cup holders Liverpool in February 1985, but lost 7–0 in the replay at Anfield;<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> York's record cup defeat.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The teams met again in the following season's FA Cup, and after another 1–1 home draw, Liverpool won 3–1 in the replay after extra time at Anfield.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Their finish of seventh in the Third Division in 1985–86 marked the fifth consecutive season York had improved their end-of-season league ranking.<ref name=FCHD/>
York avoided relegation with a draw in the last match of 1986–87,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> but did go down the following season after finishing second from bottom in the Third Division.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1992–93, York ended a five-year spell in the Third Division by gaining promotion to the Second Division via the play-offs.<ref name=FCHD/> Crewe Alexandra were beaten in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium, with a 5–3 penalty shoot-out victory following a 1–1 extra time draw.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> York reached the Second Division play-offs at the first attempt, but lost 1–0 on aggregate to Stockport County in the semi-final.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> York recorded a 4–3 aggregate victory in the 1995–96 League Cup second round over the eventual Premier League and FA Cup double winners Manchester United.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This included a 3–0 win in the first leg at Old Trafford against a strong United team that included some younger players, and a more experienced United team was unable to overcome the deficit in the second leg, York losing 3–1.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> They then beat Everton in the second round of the following season's League Cup; they drew the first leg 1–1 at Goodison Park, but won the second leg 3–2 at home.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
York were relegated from the Second Division in 1998–99,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> after dropping into 21st place on the last day of the season.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In December 2001, long-serving chairman Douglas Craig put the club and its ground up for sale for £4.5 million, before announcing that the club would resign from the Football League if a buyer was not found.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Motor racing driver John Batchelor took over the club in March 2002,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and by December the club had gone into administration.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Supporters' Trust (ST) bought the club in March 2003<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> after an offer of £100,000 as payment for £160,000 owed in tax was accepted by the Inland Revenue.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Batchelor left having diverted almost all of the £400,000 received from a sponsorship deal with Persimmon to his racing team,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and having failed to deliver on his promise of having ST members on the board.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> York failed to win any of their final 20 league fixtures in 2003–04<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and finished bottom of the Third Division.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This meant the club was relegated to the Football Conference, ending 75 years of Football League membership.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2004–present: Return to and relegation from Football League
York avoided relegation late into their first Conference National season in 2004–05,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> before reaching the play-off semi-final in 2006–07, when they were beaten 2–1 on aggregate by Morecambe.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Having escaped relegation towards the end of 2008–09,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> York participated in the 2009 FA Trophy final, and were defeated 2–0 by Stevenage Borough at Wembley Stadium.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They reached the 2010 Conference Premier play-off final at Wembley Stadium, but were beaten 3–1 by Oxford United.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> York won their first national knockout competition two years later, after they beat Newport County 2–0 in the 2012 FA Trophy final at Wembley Stadium.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A week later they earned promotion to League Two after they beat Luton Town 2–1 at Wembley Stadium in the 2012 Conference Premier play-off final, marking the club's return to the Football League after an eight-year absence.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
York secured survival from relegation late into 2012–13, their first season back in the Football League.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They made the League Two play-offs the following season, and were beaten 1–0 on aggregate by Fleetwood Town in the semi-final.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, York were relegated to the National League four years after returning to the Football League,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> with a bottom-place finish in League Two in 2015–16.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> York were further relegated to the National League North for the first time in 2016–17;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> however, they ended the season with a 3–2 win over Macclesfield Town at Wembley Stadium in the 2017 FA Trophy final.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The club was promoted back to the National League at the end of the 2021–22 season via the play-offs, with a 2–0 victory over Boston United in the final.<ref name="2022Playoffs">Template:Cite news</ref> The ST purchased JM Packaging's 75% share of the club in July 2022 to regain its 100% shareholding, before transferring 51% of those shares to businessman Glen Henderson, who took over as chairman of the club.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref>
Club identity
York are nicknamed "the Minstermen", in reference to York Minster.<ref name="Beautiful">Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> It is believed to have been coined by a journalist who came to watch the team during a successful cup run, and was only first used officially in literature in 1972.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Before this, York were known as "the Robins", because of the team's red shirts.<ref name="Beautiful"/> They were billed "the Happy Wanderers", after a popular song, at the time of their run in the 1954–55 FA Cup.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
For most of the club's history, York have worn red shirts.<ref name="Historical">Template:Cite web</ref> However, in the club's first season, 1922–23, the kit comprised maroon shirts, white shorts and black socks were worn.<ref name="Historical"/> Maroon and white striped shirts were worn for three years in the mid 1920s, before the maroon shirts returned.<ref name="Historical"/> In 1933, York changed their maroon jerseys to chocolate and cream stripes, a reference to the city's association with the confectionery industry.<ref name="Historical"/> After four years they changed their colours to what were described as "distinctive red shirts", with the official explanation that the striped jerseys clashed with opponents too often.<ref name="Historical"/> York continued to don red shirts before a two-year spell of wearing all-white kits from 1967 to 1969.<ref name="Historical"/>
York resumed wearing maroon shirts with white shorts in 1969.<ref name="Historical"/> To mark their promotion to the Second Division in 1974, a bold white "Y" was added to the shirts, which became known as the "Y-fronts".<ref name="Historical"/> Red shirts returned in 1978, along with the introduction of navy blue shorts.<ref name="Historical"/> In 2004, the club dropped navy from the kits and instead used plain red and white,<ref name="Historical"/> until 2008 when a kit mostly of navy was introduced.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> For 2007–08, the club brought in a third kit, which comprised light blue shirts and socks, with maroon shorts.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A kit with purple shirts was introduced for a one-off appearance in the 2009 FA Trophy final.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Red shirts returned in 2010, and have been worn with red, navy blue, light blue and white shorts.<ref name="Historical"/>
.png){kind=link}
York adopted the city's coat of arms as their crest upon the club's formation,<ref name="Beautiful"/> although it only featured on the shirts from 1950 to 1951.<ref name="Historical"/> In 1959, a second crest was introduced, in the form of a shield that contained York Minster, the White Rose of York and a robin.<ref name="Beautiful"/> This crest never appeared on the shirts,<ref name="Beautiful"/> but from 1969 to 1973 they bore the letters "YCFC" running upwards from left to right, and from 1974 to 1978 the "Y-fronts" shirts included a stylised badge in which the "Y" and "C" were combined.<ref name="Historical"/> The shirts bore a new crest in 1978, which depicted Bootham Bar, two heraldic lions and the club name in all-white, and in 1983 this was updated into a coloured version.<ref name="Historical"/>
When Batchelor took over the club in 2002, the crest was replaced by one signifying the club's new name of "York City Soccer Club" and held a chequered flag motif.<ref name="Historical"/> After Batchelor's one-year period at the club, the name reverted to "York City Football Club" and a new logo was introduced.<ref name=Lions>Template:Cite news</ref> It was selected following a supporters' vote held by the club, and the successful design was made by Michael Elgie.<ref name=Lions/> The badge features five lions, four of which are navy blue and are placed on a white Y-shaped background.<ref name="Historical"/> The rest of the background is red with the fifth lion in white, placed between the top part of the "Y".<ref name="Historical"/>
Tables of kit suppliers and shirt sponsors appear below:<ref name="Historical"/><ref>For Hummel as kit supplier: Template:Cite news
For Titan Wealth Holdings as shirt sponsor: Template:Cite news</ref>
| Kit suppliers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dates | Supplier | |
| 1975–1976 | Umbro | |
| 1976–1982 | Admiral | |
| 1982–1983 | Le Coq Sportif | |
| 1983–1987 | Hobott | |
| 1987–1988 | Rodsport | |
| 1989–1991 | ABC Sport | |
| 1991–1995 | Cavendish Sports | |
| 1995–2001 | Admiral | |
| 2001–2003 | Own brand | |
| 2003–2017 | Nike | |
| 2017–2018 | Avec | |
| 2018–2021 | Under Armour | |
| 2021–2024 | Puma | |
| 2024–present | Hummel | |
| Shirt sponsors | |
|---|---|
| Dates | Sponsor |
| 1981–1983 | Newitt's |
| 1984 | Hansa |
| 1984 | Cameron's |
| 1985–1990 | Hansa |
| 1990–1991 | Flamingo Land |
| 1991–2001 | Portakabin |
| 2001–2003 | York Evening Press |
| 2003–2005 | Phoenix Software |
| 2005–2009 | CLP Industries |
| 2009–2012 | Pryers Solicitors |
| 2012–2019 | Benenden Health |
| 2019–2023 | JM Packaging |
| 2023–present | Titan Wealth Holdings |
Grounds
Fulfordgate
York's first ground was Fulfordgate, which was located on Heslington Lane, Fulford in the south-east of York.<ref name=CompleteRecord108>Template:Cite book</ref> With the ground not ready, York played their first two home matches at Mille Crux, Haxby Road, before they took to the field at Fulfordgate for a 4–1 win over Mansfield Town on 20 September 1922.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Fulfordgate was gradually improved; terracing replaced banking behind one of the goals, the covered Popular Stand was extended to house 1,000 supporters, and a small seated stand was erected.<ref name=CompleteRecord108/> By the time of York's election to the Football League in 1929, the ground was estimated to hold a capacity of 17,000.<ref name=CompleteRecord108/> However, attendances declined in York's second and third Football League seasons, and the directors blamed this on the ground's location.<ref name=Grounds420>Template:Cite book</ref> In April 1932, York's shareholders voted to move to Bootham Crescent, which had been vacated by York Cricket Club, on a 21-year lease.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> This site was located near the city centre, and had a significantly higher population living nearby than Fulfordgate.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Bootham Crescent
Bootham Crescent was renovated over the summer of 1932; the Main and Popular Stands were built and terraces were banked up behind the goals.<ref name=Grounds420/> The ground was officially opened on 31 August 1932, for York's 2–2 draw with Stockport County in the Third Division North.<ref name=CompleteRecord111>Template:Cite book</ref> It was played before 8,106 supporters, and York's Tom Mitchell scored the first goal at the ground.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> There were teething problems in Bootham Crescent's early years: attendances were not higher than at Fulfordgate in its first four seasons, and there were questions over the quality of the pitch.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In March 1938 the ground's record attendance was set when 28,123 people watched York play Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup.<ref name=CompleteRecord111/> The ground endured slight damage during the Second World War, when bombs were dropped on houses along the Shipton Street End.<ref name=CompleteRecord111/> Improvements were made shortly after the war ended, including the concreting of the banking at the Grosvenor Road End being completed.<ref name=CompleteRecord112>Template:Cite book</ref>
With the club's finances in a strong position, York purchased Bootham Crescent for £4,075 in September 1948.<ref name=CompleteRecord112/> Over the late 1940s and early 1950s, concreting was completed on the terracing in the Popular Stand and the Shipton Street End.<ref name=CompleteRecord112/> The Main Stand was extended towards Shipton Street over the summer of 1955, and a year later a concrete wall was built at the Grosvenor Road End, as a safety precaution and as a support for additional banking and terracing.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The ground was fitted with floodlights in 1959, which were officially switched on for a friendly against Newcastle United.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The floodlights were updated and improved in 1980, and were officially switched on for a friendly with Grimsby Town.<ref name=CompleteRecord115>Template:Cite book</ref> A gymnasium was built at the Grosvenor Road End in 1981, and two years later new offices for the manager, secretary, matchday and lottery manager were built, along with a vice-presidents' lounge.<ref name=CompleteRecord115/>
During the early 1980s, the rear of the Grosvenor Road End was cordoned off as cracks had appeared in the rear wall, and this section of the ground was later segregated and allocated to away supporters.<ref name=CompleteRecord115/> Extensive improvements were made over the mid 1980s, including new turnstiles, refurbished dressing rooms, new referees' changing room and physiotherapist's treatment room being readied, hospitality boxes being built to the Main Stand and crash barriers being strengthened.<ref name=CompleteRecord115/> The David Longhurst Stand was constructed over the summer of 1991, and was named after the York player who collapsed and died from heart failure in a match a year earlier.<ref name=CompleteRecord116>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It provided covered accommodation for supporters in what was previously the Shipton Street End, and was officially opened for a friendly match against Leeds United.<ref name=CompleteRecord116/> In June 1995, new floodlights were installed, which were twice as powerful as the original floodlights.<ref name=CompleteRecord116/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In July 1999, York ceased ownership of Bootham Crescent when their real property assets were transferred to a holding company called Bootham Crescent Holdings.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Craig announced the ground would close by 30 June 2002,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and under Batchelor York's lease was replaced with one expiring in June 2003.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In March 2003, York extended the lease to May 2004, and proceeded with plans to move to Huntington Stadium under the ownership of the Supporters' Trust.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The club instead bought Bootham Crescent in February 2004, using a £2 million loan from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The ground was renamed KitKat Crescent in January 2005, as part of a sponsorship deal in which Nestlé made a donation to the club,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> although the ground was still commonly referred to as Bootham Crescent.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The deal expired in January 2010, when Nestlé ended all their sponsorship arrangements with the club.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> There had not been any major investment in the ground since the 1990s, and it faced problems with holes in the Main Stand roof, crumbling in the Grosvenor Road End, drainage problems and toilet conditions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
York Community Stadium
Per the terms of the FSIF loan, the club was required to have identified a site for a new stadium by 2007, and have detailed planning permission by 2009, to avoid financial penalties.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> York failed to formally identify a site by the end of 2007,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and by March 2008 plans had ground to a halt.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In May 2008, City of York Council announced its commitment to building a community stadium,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> for use by York and the city's rugby league club, York City Knights.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In July 2010, the option of building an all-seater stadium at Monks Cross in Huntington, on the site of Huntington Stadium, was chosen by the council.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In August 2014, the council named GLL as the preferred bidder to deliver an 8,000 all-seater stadium, a leisure complex and a community hub.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Construction started in December 2017,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and after a number of delays, was completed in December 2020.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The club officially moved into the stadium in January 2021,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> with the first match being a 3–1 defeat to AFC Fylde on 16 February,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> which was played behind closed doors because of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The stadium holds an all-seated capacity of 8,500.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Supporters and rivalries
The club has a number of domestic supporters' groups, including the East Riding Minstermen, Harrogate Minstermen, York Minstermen, York City South and the Supporters' Trust.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The now-disbanded group Jorvik Reds,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> who were primarily inspired by the continental ultras movement,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> were known for staging pre-match displays.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The York Nomad Society is the hooligan firm associated with the club.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
For home matches, the club produces a 60-page official match programme, entitled The Citizen.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> York have been the subject of a number of independent supporters' fanzines, including Terrace Talk, In The City, New Frontiers, Johnny Ward's Eyes, Ginner's Left Foot, RaBTaT and Y Front.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The club mascot is a lion named Yorkie the Lion and he is known for performing comic antics before matches.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, became the club patron for 2007–08, having become a regular spectator at home matches as a season ticket holder.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The 2003 Football Fans Census revealed that no other team's supporters considered York to be among their club's main rivals.<ref name=Rivalry>Template:Cite web</ref> Traditionally, York's two main rivalries have been with Hull City and Scarborough.<ref name=Rivalry/> While York fans saw Hull as their main rival, this was not reciprocated by the East Yorkshire club, who saw Leeds United as their main rival.<ref name=Rivalry/> York also had a rivalry with Halifax Town and they were the team most local to York when the two played in the Conference.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A rivalry with Luton Town developed during the club's final years in the Conference as both clubs met regularly in crucial matches, accompanied by a series of incidents involving crowd trouble, contentious transfers, and complaints about the behaviour of directors.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Records and statistics
The record for the most appearances for York is held by Barry Jackson, who played 539 matches in all competitions.<ref name="CompleteRecord426">Template:Cite book</ref> Jackson also holds the record for the most league appearances for the club, with 428.<ref name="CompleteRecord426"/> Norman Wilkinson is the club's top goalscorer with 143 goals in all competitions, which includes 127 in the league and 16 in the FA Cup.<ref name="CompleteRecord426"/> Six players, Keith Walwyn, Billy Fenton, Alf Patrick, Paul Aimson, Arthur Bottom and Tom Fenoughty, have also scored more than 100 goals for the club.<ref name="CompleteRecord426"/>
The first player to be capped at international level while playing for York was Eamon Dunphy, when he made his debut for the Republic of Ireland against Spain on 10 November 1965.<ref name="CompleteRecord428">Template:Cite book</ref> The most capped player is Peter Scott, who earned seven caps for Northern Ireland while at the club.<ref name="CompleteRecord428"/> The first York player to score in an international match was Anthony Straker, who scored for Grenada against Haiti on 4 September 2015 in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
York's largest victory was a 9–1 win over Southport in the Third Division North in 1957,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> while the heaviest loss was 12–0 to Chester City in 1936 in the same division.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Their widest victory margin in the FA Cup is by six goals, which was achieved five times.<ref name=CompleteRecord242-424>Template:Cite book</ref> These were 7–1 wins over Horsforth in 1924, Stockton Malleable in 1927 and Stockton in 1928, and 6–0 wins over South Shields in 1968 and Rushall Olympic in 2007.<ref name=CompleteRecord242-424/> York's record defeat in the FA Cup was 7–0 to Liverpool in 1985.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The club's highest attendance at their former Fulfordgate ground was 12,721 against Sheffield United in the FA Cup on 14 January 1931,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> while the lowest was 1,500 against Maltby Main on 23 September 1925 in the same competition.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Their highest attendance at Bootham Crescent was 28,123, for an FA Cup match against Huddersfield Town on 5 March 1938;<ref name=CompleteRecord268/> the lowest was 608 against Mansfield Town in the Conference League Cup on 4 November 2008.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The highest transfer fee received for a York player is £950,000 from Sheffield Wednesday for Richard Cresswell on 25 March 1999,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> while the most expensive player bought is Adrian Randall, who cost £140,000 from Burnley on 28 December 1995.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The youngest player to play for the club is Reg Stockill, who was aged 15 years and 281 days on his debut against Wigan Borough in the Third Division North on 29 August 1929.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The oldest player is Paul Musselwhite, who played his last match aged 43 years and 127 days against Forest Green Rovers in the Conference on 28 April 2012.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref>
Players
First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Squad correct as of 15 November 2025.<ref>Template:Cite web
For 2025–26 squad numbers and Ethan Stiver: Template:Cite web
For Josh Stones nationality: Template:Cite web
For Ashley Nathaniel-George nationality: Template:Cite web
For Craig Hewitt nationality: Template:Cite web
For Eddie Kettlewell nationality: Template:Cite web
For Nico Lawrence nationality: Template:Cite web
For Tyler Cordner position and nationality: Template:Cite web
For Jeff King nationality: Template:Cite web</ref>
Former players
Clubmen of the Year
Club officials
Ownership Template:Updated<ref name="Ownership&Board">Template:Cite web</ref>
- 394 Sports (51%)
- York City Supporters' Society (25%)
- FB Sports (24%)
Board Template:Updated<ref name="Ownership&Board"/>
- Co-chairs: Julie-Anne UgglaTemplate:BulletMatthew Uggla
- Directors: James DanielsTemplate:BulletBilly FordTemplate:BulletTim FordTemplate:BulletAlastair SmithTemplate:BulletSimon Young
Management and backroom staff
Template:Updated<ref>Template:Cite web
For Steve Collis arrival: Template:Cite web</ref>
- Manager: Stuart Maynard
- Assistant manager: João Alves
- First-team coach: Gary Elphick
- Goalkeeping coach: Steve Collis
- Kit & equipment manager: Lewis Saleem
- Head of science and medicine: Sam Mannings
Former managers
Honours
York City's honours include the following:<ref name="FCHD"/>
League
- Third Division (level 3)
- Promoted: 1973–74
- Fourth Division / Third Division (level 4)
- Conference Premier (level 5)
- Play-off winners: 2012
- National League North (level 6)
- Play-off winners: 2022
Cup
References
Infobox kits
- For home colours: Template:Cite news
- For away colours: Template:Cite news
- For third colours: Template:Cite web
Specific Template:Reflist
External links
Template:York City F.C. Template:Navbox Template:Former English Football League clubs Template:Authority control
- Pages with broken file links
- York City F.C.
- Association football clubs established in 1922
- Football clubs in North Yorkshire
- 1922 establishments in England
- Sport in York
- Midland Football League (1889)
- English Football League clubs
- National League (English football) clubs
- Companies that have entered administration in the United Kingdom