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The daily email newsletter serving York City fans since 1997
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Submit your views for publication by emailing the editor here.
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William McGahey
I genuinely find it staggering that John Uttley (TOOAB, Issue 003) continues to offer such a staunch defence of McGill.
What he did for the club 15 years ago has been well-documented and he will always have that.
However what happened then cannot continue to excuse his gross mismanagement over the last three years that has resulted in us playing at the lowest level we ever have, throwing away our league position which we worked so hard to return to, and has lowered relations between the club and supporters to a toxic level.
There are a whole new generation of City fans who either can't remember or weren't even alive when McGill originally became involved with the club, and for them whatever McGill did in the past is somewhat irrelevant, whether you think it should be or not.
He is right to say there are questions marks on where new funding would come from, and I also have doubts whether the Trust, as it is, could run the club.
However, I am also certain that as long as McGill is around, we will continue to watch (or not watch, as crowds will continue to fall) an inadequate team with sub-standard management, both on and off the field.
A new stadium won't change the fact getting out this league becomes harder and harder the longer we are stuck here, and the reason we are down here is the chairman.
It may be a blame game but he deserves the absolute majority of it.
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Chris Forth (Harrow)
Interesting to note City were prepared to publicly confirm that Hamza Bencherif isn’t our Doritos muncher. The rumours must have put a strain on him.
But, it was good to see Hamza was strong enough to overcome a shaky start against Darlington with 2 goals. As a defender, I’m sure the clean sheet meant more to him than his 2 goals.
Post-match, Sam Collins noted Hamza’s strong personality and the hard work of the entire forward line in providing the first line of defence.
Let’s hope we see a lot more positive comments from everyone this year; it can only be good for City.
In a game of small margins, remember, we hit the woodwork twice before Darlington scored on Boxing Day and could / should have been 2-1 up, not 2-1 down at Blyth, a corner can be quickly turned if there is a will.
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Ray Taylor (Warrington)
Well done Dave Smith (TOOAB, Issue 003). 500 away games and goodness knows how many home games. (Dave will know).
All the more impressive as he has not lived in or near York for something like 50 years (Dave will know).
How many Wetherspoons has he visited? You guessed it, Dave will know!
Shame his 500th away match is at Curzon and not Old Trafford or somewhere more fitting.
Offered him a lift to Curzon, but of course ,he is going via Timbuktu or nearby to visit another Wetherspoon to tick off his list.
Great friend and a brilliant supporter of York City FC.
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York City South
Following the festive fixtures, the updated leaderboard in the York City South Predictor competition has Katherine Naylor in first place (up from 3rd place a month ago) with a score of 103 points (out of 120). Nick Briggs is in 2nd place with 88 points.
This month, the significant risers were those who tipped Stockport as champions (up 9 places in 4 games) and those who went high on the total number of goals in City's games this season.
See www.yorkcitysouth.co.uk for more details.
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Jake Wright up to fourth in York City Player of the Year contest
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By Dave Flett
JAKE Wright has moved up to fourth place in The Press Player of the Year contest.
The ex-Harrogate striker was our man of the match during the 4-0 win against Darlington on New Year’s Day to earn three points towards the standings.
Wright was also rewarded with two points as The Press’ second-highest rated performer during last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Blyth.
The other points against Darlington went to Jordan Burrow (two) and Hamza Bencherif (one), while the efforts of David Ferguson (three) and Macaulay Langstaff (one) were also recognised at Blyth.
Wright and Ferguson both received additional two Player of the Month points after topping the respective Darlington and Blyth man-of-the-match online polls.
The Press Player of the Year standings: Bartlett 26, Burrow 19, Griffiths 19, Wright 13, Moke 11, Heslop 9, Penn 9, Tait 9, Bray 8, Ferguson 7, Newton 7, Parkin 6, York 6, Langstaff 5,Allan 4, Davis 4, Digie 3, Dyer 3, Harris 3, Hawkins 2, Law 2, Bencherif 1, McAughtrie 1, Parslow 1.
The Press Player of the Month standings for January: Wright 5, Burrow 2, Bencherif 1.
The Press Player of the Month final standings for December: Bartlett 15, Bray 6, Burrow 5, Ferguson 5, Moke 5, Dyer 4, Griffiths 4, Wright 4, York 3, Davis 2, Harris 1, Langstaff 1, Parslow 1.
Goals: Burrow 13, Langstaff 5, Wright 5, Newton 3, Parkin 3, Bencherif 2, Ferguson 2, Harris 2, Moke 2, Tait 2, York 2, Bray 1, Hawkins 1, Heslop 1.
Assists: Burrow 7, Harris 5, Ferguson 3, Langstaff 4, Law 4, Parkin 3, Bray 3, Bartlett 2, Griffiths 2, Wright 2, Allan 1, Agnew 1, Digie 1, Dyer 1, Hawkins 1, Heslop 1, Newton 1, Tait 1, York 1.
Discipline: Wright eight yellow cards; Heslop seven yellow cards; Bencherif, Griffiths, Newton all four yellow; Tait one red, two yellow; Davis, Moke both three yellow; Law two yellow; Penn one red, one yellow; Bray one red; Allan, Ferguson, Hawkins, Kempster, Langstaff, McAughtrie, York all one yellow.
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Curzon Ashton without home clean sheet before York City test
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By Dave Flett
CURZON Ashton will entertain York City having failed to keep a clean sheet at home all season.
The Nash’s poor form in front of their own fans has also only reaped one win at their Tameside Stadium - 2-1 against Telford on October 20 - in a dozen games this term, whilst a return of eight league home goals represents the lowest haul in National League North.
A tally of six points on their own soil is also the league’s joint-lowest, only being matched by bottom-of-the-table Nuneaton.
No other team in the division, meanwhile, is without a home shut-out during 2018/19.
Alfreton Town have suffered the same fate in the league, but managed to keep FA Cup visitors Sutton Coldfield and St Neots Town at bay in autumn.
Ahead of the Minstermen’s visit, Curzon have taken just one point from a possible 12 at their Greater Manchester base, but that did come in a 1-1 draw against title-challengers Bradford Park Avenue on November 10.
Since then, Curzon have parted company with the most-successful manager in their history - John Flanagan.
In seven years at the helm, Flanagan won back-to-back promotions, reached the second round of the FA Cup and kept Curzon at their highest-ever level for the four successive seasons.
He was relieved of his duties at the end of November six games into a run of ten games without a win - Curzon’s longest sequence since promotion to the sixth tier in 2015 - which has only just ended following the 2-1 New Year’s Day triumph at Ashton United.
That victory was the first for Flanagan’s successor Mark Bradshaw, who has coached nearly every Curzon side from under-five to senior level during the last 12 years.
The former Blackpool and Halifax professional, who won caps for the England C international team, also won four trophies during his time in charge of the academy team in 2017.
Flanagan is not the only face familiar to City fans to have moved on from Curzon either.
Winger Joe Guest has netted three times in the five pervious meetings between the two clubs but made his farewell appearance against Ashton, as he prepares to pursue a footballing career in Australia, having been an integral performer for the club over the last five years.
Striker Niall Cummins, who hit a hat-trick during last term’s corresponding fixture, won’t figure this weekend either.
The 31-year-old forward moved on loan to Marine in December having, remarkably, failed to net a league goal for Curzon since that mid-February treble against the Minstermen - his only effort for the club in that time coming in September’s 2-1 FA Cup win over Radcliffe Borough.
But away supporters will recognise one player in the hosts’ ranks with ex-Bootham Crescent midfielder Danny Racchi, having made his debut against Ashton as a substitute for the injured Daniel Shaw following his move from FC United of Manchester.
Defender James Baillie will not be available, having broken his leg in October and, at the other end of the pitch, New Year’s Day marksmen Ryan Brooke and Oliver Crankshaw are top scorers with a modest six apiece for a team that are currently fifth-bottom and four points above the relegation zone.
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Preview: What's in store in the National League North on Saturday?
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By Tom Scott
The National League North is back this weekend after an action-packed festive period.
And the game of the day is undoubtedly at Edgeley Park where two of the league’s in-form sides face off in Stockport and Bradford (Park Avenue).
Jim Gannon has rallied the Hatters’ fans after their recent run of form and he’s hoping a season-best crowd of over 5,000 can get the team another huge win.
After a rocky start, Marc Richards seems to have turned things round at Hereford despite their loss on New Year’s Day. The Bulls could make it four home league wins on the spin if they can overcome Chorley at Edgar Street this weekend.
Jimmy Ginnelly is reshuffling the pack for Nuneaton Borough after a less than ideal start to life at Liberty Way. A win at Southport will be a big ask for the Boro’ as their hosts' incredible run of form shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
Darlington and FC United of Manchester both found themselves on the wrong end of hammerings on New Year’s Day.
Both have the chance to make amends immediately with home games against Kidderminster Harriers and Chester, respectively.
Curzon Ashton bagged a long overdue win last time out and entertain York City who started 2019 with a dominant win of their own.
Only Stockport have beaten Spennymoor Town since the back end of October, a run that sees Jason Ainsley’s men only looking up. AFC Telford are their opponents this weekend and with neither side looking to stop their charge, it could make for fireworks.
Alfreton have just two wins in their last eight games and face a tough ask to take anything away from Blyth Spartans. Alun Armstrong’s men have been on fire recently and sit top of the form table.
Altrincham had their own brilliant run of form, but they must have been on the naughty list over Christmas. No win in four games for Phil Parkinson’s men and they face a trip to Boston United who haven’t been great at home.
Brackley are on a mini-run of three without defeat and face Ashton United who can’t buy a win.
Leamington have only lost once in their last six games but five of those games ended level. The Brakes will be desperate for a win against Guiseley and will look at the Lions’ recent poor home record for inspiration.
Saturday’s National League North fixtures:
AFC Telford United v Spennymoor Town
Blyth Spartans v Alfreton Town
Boston United v Altrincham
Brackley v Ashton United
Curzon Ashton v York City
Darlington v Kidderminster Harriers
FC United of Manchester v Chester
Guiseley v Leamington
Hereford v Chorley
Southport v Nuneaton Borough
Stockport v Bradford (Park Avenue)
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Allan extends Alfreton Town loan
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By Ian Appleyard
Defender Tom Allan has today extended his loan deal with Alfreton Town until the end of the season.
Allan, 24, initially joined Alfreton in mid-November after starting just four games for City following his return to Bootham Crescent in the summer.
He had previously spent three years with the Derbyshire club between 2015-2018.
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Vanarama National League's 'Big Day Out'
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By Ian Appleyard
The Vanarama National League has released details of the opportunity for ALL football fans to purchase Early Bird tickets for their Promotion Final on Saturday 11th May 2019 at Wembley Stadium connected by EE.
Tickets are now on sale and will remain available as outlined below direct from Wembley Stadium Ticketing Portal. This offer is only available on-line.
There is also an option for 'Print at Home' (PAH)
EARLY BIRD offer - up to and including 28th February 2019:
Adults: £20
Seniors (Over 60): £10
Under 16: FREE **
(** 1 free U16 ticket can be ordered for each ticket sold at Adult or Senior price).
Additional tickets for Under 16 over the above allowance can be purchased at £5 each.
Early Bird sales are made even more attractive as no booking fee is charged.
Please be advised no ticket is refundable once purchased through the Early Bird option.
Disabled seated allocation is available directly through Wembley Stadium and details are also available on-line.
WEMBLEY TICKET PORTAL: https://ticketingcontent.thefa.com//Vanarama%202019
Notes:
General Admission Ticket prices for the Promotion Final will be announced in April.
Early Bird tickets will NOT be forwarded to purchasers until the two competing finalist clubs are confirmed. This will allow for ticket allocation to be made in blocks for any group of supporters of a neutral club wishing to be in the same area. Initial purchase therefore will be placed into holding blocks for the time being.
In order for this to be offered, each purchaser will be required to nominate which National League member club they align themselves to or they may indicate a ‘No Preference’ neutral option.
Supporters of the two clubs who do reach the Promotion Final and who purchase Early Bird tickets will be allocated their tickets for the correct area of the stadium when allotted to each finalist club.
*This press release is issued at the request of the Vanarama National League
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Langstaff on confidence levels
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By Ian Appleyard
Striker Macaulay Langstaff says City should be 'full of confidence' this weekend after a 'perfect performance' against Darlington.
Langstaff, who has been back in the side for City's last two games, was speaking ahead of Saturday's trip to Curzon Ashton in Vanarama National League North (kick-off 3pm)
Reflecting on the 4-0 victory over Darlington on New Year's Day, he said: "It was a perfect performance. I don't think Barts had a save to make! We were threatening every time we went forward, we were solid, and we won every second ball.
"The lads should be full of confidence now. I think if we get that win on Saturday, it builds some momentum. We then have two weeks off, the players can rest up and get back to full fitness," he added.
"The table is tight and, if we can put a run together, we can climb that table easily. I think we are only seven points off the play-offs. A couple of wins and you are right back up there. We will go to Curzon looking for three points."
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Macaulay Langstaff: 'The lads should be full of confidence now.' Courtesy YorkCityFC via YouTube.
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Please check the club's official website before planning travel.
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Pre-season fixtures:
July
Sat 7: Shildon 1, York City 2
Tue 10: York City 1, Barnsley 7
Sat 14: York City 1, Bradford City 0
Thu 19: York City 1, Leeds United 1
Fri 27: Ilkeston Town 1, York City 6
Vanarama National League (North) fixtures unless otherwise stated:
August
Sat, Aug 4 Chorley 1, York City 0
Tue, Aug 7 York City 1, Stockport County 0
Sat, Aug 11 York City 1, Alfreton Town 2
Tue, Aug 14 Ashton United 0, York City 2
Sat, Aug 18 York City 1, Curzon Ashton 1
Sat, Aug 25 Brackley Town 0, York City 0
Mon, Aug 27 York City 2, Blyth Spartans 0
September
Sat, Sep 1 Hereford 1, York City 1
Sat, Sep 15 York City 0, Kidderminster Harriers 3
Sat, Sep 22 York City 5, Ashton Athletic 0 (Emirates FA Cup 2Q)
Sat, Sep 29 York City 4, Guiseley 2
October
Tue, Oct 2 Nuneaton Borough 2, York City 2
Sat, Oct 6 York City 3, St Ives Town 0 (Emirates FA Cup 3Q)
Sat, Oct 13 Southport 1, York City 2
Sat, Oct 20 Blyth Spartans 0, York City 1 (Emirates FA Cup 4Q)
Sat, Oct 27 AFC Telford United 2. York City 1
Tue, Oct 30 Spennymoor Town 3, York City 0
November
Sat, Nov 3 York City 1, Bradford Park Avenue 4
Sat Nov 10 Swindon Town 2, York City 1 (Emirates FA Cup 1)
Tue, Nov 13 York City 0, Chester 0
Sat, Nov 17 Altrincham 3, York City 0)
Sat, Nov 24 Kidderminster Harriers 1, York City 3 (Buildbase FA Trophy 3Q)
December
Sat, Dec 1 York City 2, FC United Of Manchester 0
Tue, Dec 4 York City 2, Leamington 2
Sat, Dec 8 Boston United 2, York City 0
Sat, Dec 15 Harrogate Town 2, York City 1 (Buildbase FA Trophy 1)
Sat Dec 22 York City 2, Brackley Town 1
Wed, Dec 26 Darlington 5, York City 1
Sat, Dec 29 Blyth Spartans 2, York City 1
January
Tue, Jan 1 York City 4, Darlington 0
Sat, Jan 5 Curzon Ashton (A)
Sat, Jan 19 Stockport County (A)
Sat, Jan 26 Chorley (H)
February
Sat, Feb 2 Alfreton Town (A)
Tue, Feb 5 Hereford (H)
Sat Feb 9 Ashton United (H)
Sat, Feb 16 Kidderminster Harriers (A)
Sat Feb 23 Nuneaton Borough (H)
March
Sat Mar 2 Leamington (A)
Sat Mar 9 Altrincham (H)
Sat, Mar 16 FC United Of Manchester (A)
Sat, Mar 23 Boston United (H)
Sat Mar 30 Guiseley (A)
April
Sat, Apr 6 Southport (H)
Sat Apr 13 Chester (A)
Fri, Apr 19 Spennymoor Town (H)
Mon, Apr 22 Bradford Park Avenue (A)
Sat, Apr 27 AFC Telford United (H)
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There’s Only One Arthur Bottom was first published as an almost-daily email newsletter in July 1997 and has been distributed continuously since. Subscriber numbers peaked at more than 1,100 when the club’s future was threatened by potential closure in 2001 but more than 800 subscribers, living in more than 30 countries, will receive this edition. Editor Josh Easby started the newsletter from New Zealand (where he lives today) but has variously produced and distributed it from the United Kingdom, Australia and (briefly) Italy.
Over the years, TOOAB subscribers have variously supported the club in many different ways, using the newsletter at times to share ideas that have helped the club and to raise money which has been used to buy much-needed equipment (for the physio room), sponsor members of the youth team and to sponsor senior players’ kit. Subscribers (who often call themselves ‘Arthurites’) often meet up for pre-match/post-match drinks and have arranged functions together.
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The opinions expressed in There's Only One Arthur Bottom do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher, nor is this newsletter endorsed in any way by York City Football Club. Wherever possible, the contributions by subscribers are published unaltered. However submissions will be rejected or amended if they are potentially defamatory or contain language likely to offend other subscribers. Unless good reasons are given, anonymous submissions are rejected. The publisher reserves the right to reproduce contributions to this newsletter on any website associated with the newsletter.
www.tooab.com
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