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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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Chris Forth (Harrow)
Given our recent seasons, there is no doubt that City deserve to be in National League North.
However, given our historic league standing, a place in Division 2 is a more natural home for York City.
Equally, both our crowds and club infrastructure suggest we have the capability to be playing at a higher level than we currently play at.
As Steve Watson has already noted, there is huge potential, however as successive managers have found it, is not easy to unleash that potential.
As supporters, it's for us to get behind Steve and to unleash that potential.
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Jon King (Biarritz, France)
Don’t know whether bringing in Steve Watson is the answer to the club's on-field problems or whether the club has been so badly run from bottom to top for such a long time that the managerial change won’t make any difference; only time will tell!
I just hope for us long suffering supporters we finally get a managerial ‘bounce’ and to boost everyone's morale we get a few good results in the upcoming games and hopefully start knocking on the door of the play offs by Easter.
I am hoping this is just the start of a ‘turning point’ and that we have found the right manager, hopefully promotion through the play offs then move into the new stadium next season and then we can all start looking up instead of down and York City finally gets its day in the sun.
If you look at the city's population and look at some of the teams that are from cities and towns with similar numbers (Swindon, Luton, Preston, Bournemouth, Norwich, Middlesborough, Ipswich to name a few) surely by the law of averages we should have a successful team who can go up the higher echelons of the football league ladder.
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Malcolm Long (NSW, Australia)
Thank you John English (TOOAB, Issue 010) for quite rightly pointing out that I live in Australia and that I am unaware of the property prices in the UK. Let’s say for argument's sake that even though I do not as you have duly noted, live in the UK, but, do know how to research.
That research John has revealed that according to the UK Govt., statistically, housing prices in the UK have doubled since 2002. The only reason I posted this question once more was because the transparent Trust was not being forthcoming on their valuation and, well, you already know what McGill’s like.
(Please bear in mind these figures are approximations from the charts)
According to the Halifax Price Index for the UK, the average price for a home nationwide was in 2002, £300k (i.e. €300,000). Peaked at £650k pounds and by mid-2008 dropped to €500k pounds in 2009. Prices remained steady for the next 3 years and began to rise again to their present level of £740k pounds.
Therefore prices have more than doubled since 2002. Now I love statistics but they can also be deceptive and easily manipulated, because prices do not necessarily reflect what has occurred in individual counties.
Historical prices for properties (as reported by home.co.uk) for York have since 2002 or 2004 (in case I have the Craig year wrong) have doubled.
A detached house sold for €150k and £235k respectively in 2002/2004. In 2018 prices have fluctuated between €270k and £355k. Terrace prices were €85k/135k respectively for 2002/2004 and in 2018 rose to £260k. Therefore, considering that the price Douglas Craig was demanding, which was accepted by Persimmon back in 2002 or 2004 of £4 million should have doubled.
Also for Persimmon to gain the maximum profit from this venture they are more than likely going to build Terraces at Bootham Cresc.
However, if according to John, the property is still only worth £4 million, which is inconceivable because of all the added operating losses that have been added onto the interest-free loans extended to the club by McGill/JPM Packaging. Perhaps the sale price was renegotiated to €6 million. But once again, the operating losses from those 14-16 years have soaked it up.
If, as you have stated John, Jason manages to profit from the sale of the ground, does that make him any better than Douglas Craig?
Jason has squandered the clubs money over the last 14-16 years through extremely poor decisions and extremely bad management, which is I know difficult to conceive, considering he is a successful businessman in his own right, just totally inept at managing a football club that employs living people not bots.
The UK is and has been in a recession for years? According to the Financial Times, the Guardian and others, the UK as a result of the problems with Breixt may be heading towards a recession.
Manufacturing is facing a recession, only because of the uncertainty surrounding Brexit. Unemployment is at its lowest for forty years and the GDP is healthy. Not a genuine indication that the entire country is in recession at all. I can understand that some businesses and certain manufacturing could be in a recession or stagnant as a result of uncertainty. However, everything at present indicates a healthy UK economy.
So who hired the managers for the last 14-16 years, John? Who hired one manager in particular because he was in his own words “A GOOD BLOKE”, a failure at management, but a really good bloke. Mills, everyone knows what I think, so I’ll give him a rest.
Although I stayed on the fence where Collins was concerned, I did feel at the time that McGill had come full circle from the first manager appointed by the Trust which McGill had significant influence with, when appointing Chris Brass as a player manager.
I knew at the time that the club needed to save money or pull back on operational costs, but the appointment of a manager with absolutely no experience when the club had serious fears of dropping into the relegation battle, was a ludicrous and downright stupid decision.
However, Collins was coaching the youth team, which is why I sat on the fence. That said, what he did not have was the experience to handle or turn around the pervasive toxic issues affecting the team, and even he fell into the trap by openly criticizing a player respected and liked by players and fans alike.
Players are only as good as the manager allows them to be. Played out of position, openly criticized in public, substituted at critical moments unnecessarily or deliberately ignored because of personality issues (Brodie) and resented (Connolly) does not help a team to function and become a coercive challenging unit.
It is so very easy to blame coaches and players. But the buck stops at the person who hired the manager and failed to recognize that there was a pervasive toxic situation present that the manager would need to address.
Management. John, as you know, isn’t about whether you like the person sitting in front of you at an interview or if he is or isn’t a good bloke. It is about their qualifications, experience and reasons for them being dismissed from or leaving their last position. It is about what they and you believe they can bring to the club, can they see the club through to the next level.
Will they honour your youth setup and draw from those ranks, will they be able to resolve personality issues between players without sending either out on loan?
Will they be able to put their own personality issues aside at the same time? Team management requires a very diverse set of skills which as we have witnessed not many of the recent managers hired have.
One mistake I believe Collins made during his time at the club was drawing on loan players from clubs in the upper divisions.
Loan players fall into one of several categories, surplus to current needs, too many players filling same position, personality issues, returning from injury, or getting old.
The only time City has benefitted from loan players that I can remember, was Nick Pope who exemplified what a great loan player should be.
Therefore there is a very high risk of getting a loan player you as a manager would probably have loan out.
Unless you have the skill set to turn them around without causing any more damage to the existing side, then by all means do it, but be aware of the risks.
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Jez Holland
In response to Keith Gough (TOOAB, Issue 010):
>>"I would agree that if the board of directors keep appointing bad managers then changing the manager will not make any difference.
>>The answer may be changing the board of directors including the chairman but when Jason put his shares up for sale no one wanted to know so it is plain and simple.”<<
Now, I agree with “… changing the board of directors including the chairman…”.
However, “… when Jason put his shares up for sale no one wanted to know…” – how do we know this?
I am led to believe that there were interested parties.
One theory is that, perhaps, the club was never really up for sale.
Perhaps it was all a ‘ploy’ so Jason could ‘ride back into town’ to ‘save’ the club? And try to garner some more support from wavering supporters?
Just a thought.
In response to John English (TOOAB, Issue 010):
>>“Jason McGill did not sign any of our players as far as I am aware and was let down by bad managers. Good managers appoint the right players and then they must train them well if success is to be achieved.”<<
Maybe he didn’t sign any of our players. However, he has appointed a succession of poor to dreadful managers. Wilcox. McNamara. Mills II. Gray. Collins.
Surely if ‘>>… Good managers appoint the right players…’ << as you wrote, then logically good chairmen appoint good managers?
On the one hand you state:
>>“It takes serious money to pay the wages bill of 20 or more players plus managers, physios etc.”<<
Then you state “We need investors with money…"
If he [Jason McGill] has invested [some of his] money he has done it extraordinarily poorly.
But he has frittered away [most of, if not all of] the value of the ground.
Our ground. Bootham Crescent.
He has appointed awful managers. Made mistake after mistake.
Authorised players on 2 year contracts / 2 year contract extensions.
Contracts with triggers dependent on the amount of games played.
Succession of managers then lumbered with said players.
>>“Who knows but without him [Jason] the club would now be part-time and probably in Division 9 or 10 in the pyramid getting defeated by Pocklington Town!”<<
Well, we could have been / could be in Division [Tier] 9 or 10…
We could be part-time.
However, I would think that along the lines of Darlington, Halifax, Scarborough, etc. we would be rising back through the leagues.
I would also like to think that we, as a club would be far more harmonious than we are now. As supporters all trying to pull together.
Under the current ‘regime’ so many long-standing supporters, have stopped coming, having been treated dreadfully. The football club is supposed to be for the community. A club is nothing without fans.
They are being turned away … and it isn’t just because of how we are playing.
This is just a shameful way we are leaving Bootham Crescent.
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Former Sheffield Wednesday defender Steve Watson appointed new manager of York City
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By Leon Wobschall
YORK CITY have confirmed former Sheffield Wednesday defender and Huddersfield Town coach Steve Watson as their new first-team manager.
Watson resigned from his post as manager of Vanarama National League side Gateshead this morning and will commence his new role on Monday.
He will be joined by former Rotherham United midfielder Micky Cummins, who has also resigned today from his role as Gateshead’s assistant-manager.
Watson, 44, moved into coaching nine years ago after an illustrious playing career with Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Everton, West Bromwich Albion and the Owls.
He was employed as a coach by Huddersfield and Birmingham City and assistant-manager at Macclesfield Town before accepting his first managerial role at Gateshead in October 2017.
Watson ensured Gateshead survived in the National League last season and reached the semifinals of the FA Trophy.
This season, he has steered Gateshead into the promotion race with the club currently sitting eighth in the table.
“The challenge of taking this club back through the leagues is an exciting one for any young manager,” said Watson.
“It will take a lot of hard work but I am more than willing to roll my sleeves up and I can’t wait to get started.
“There are probably only two clubs in National League North that are ‘League clubs’ waiting to happen again and York is one of them. There is huge potential here and my job is to realise that potential.”
A statement from City’s board of directors said: “We are delighted to welcome Steve Watson to the club as first team manager along with his assistant Micky Cummins.
“The board conducted a series of interviews with a number of candidates but Steve impressed with his considerable experience as a player and coach, his knowledge of the game at all levels, and his vision for the club.
“He has demonstrated an ability to be successful on a limited budget at Gateshead and is prepared to step down from a higher league to strive for success at York City Football Club.”
“The board will now be fully supportive of their aims and ambitions and wish the pair every success in their task.”
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Former Newcastle defender Steve Watson has quit his role as Gateshead manager in the National League to take up the vacant post at York City.
The Minstermen, a division below in National League North, sacked ex-Hartlepool defender Sam Collins after Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Curzon Ashton.
York are currently 16th in the division, while Gateshead are just outside the play-off places in eighth.
Watson is joined at Bootham Crescent by assistant boss Micky Cummins.
Coach Ben Clark will take caretaker charge of Gateshead's National League game against Salford City at the weekend.
In joining York, Watson will be reunited with Jordan Burrow and Macaulay Langstaff, who joined from the Tynesiders in the summer.
The 44-year-old moves to a club which has endured a tumultuous slide, following relegation out of the Football League in 2016.
"The board conducted a series of interviews with a number of candidates but Steve impressed with his considerable experience as a player and coach, his knowledge of the game at all levels, and his vision for the club," a statement from the York board of directors reads.
"He has demonstrated an ability to be successful on a limited budget at Gateshead and is prepared to step down from a higher league to strive for success at York City Football Club."
Despite winning the FA Trophy in 2017 under the returning Gary Mills, York were relegated again to National League North.
Since then Mills, his successor in ex-Darlington boss Martin Gray and Collins have all been unable to steer the Minstermen toward a promotion push, with last season's 11th-placed finish followed by their current bottom-half placing.
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CONFIRMED: Steve Watson named as York City's new manager
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By Dave Flett
YORK City’s new manager Steve Watson will start work at Bootham Crescent on Monday after resigning from his position in charge of Gateshead.
The former Newcastle and Everton right-back, who played under the likes of Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish, Ruud Gullit, David Moyes and Bryan Robson, has guided National League outfit Gateshead to eighth in the table this season despite off-pitch problems that have resulted in him working under a transfer embargo.
He will be joined at Bootham Crescent by Micky Cummins, who was his assistant manager at the International Athletics Stadium, with City sporting director Dave Penney continuing to oversee training until next week.
The Press exclusively revealed that Watson was set to be named as Sam Collins' successor at noon, with the club confirming his appointment at 1pm, with a statement from City's board of directors reading: "We are delighted to welcome Steve Watson to the club as first-team manager, along with his assistant Micky Cummins.
"The board conducted a series of interviews with a number of candidates, but Steve impressed with his considerable experience as a player and coach, his knowledge of the game at all levels, and his vision for the club. He has demonstrated an ability to be successful on a limited budget at Gateshead and is prepared to step down from a higher league to strive for success at York City.
"The board will now be fully supportive of their aims and ambitions and wish the pair every success in their task."
Watson, 44, had been in charge of the Heed since October 2017, succeeding Neil Aspin and pulling the north-east outfit six points clear of the relegation zone by the end of last term when current City trio Jordan Burrow, Wes York and Macaulay Langstaff were in his ranks.
This season, he has masterminded an unlikely promotion push, although the respective returns of on-loan pair – ten-goal, top-scorer Luke Armstrong and Luke Molyneux - to Middlesbrough and Sunderland has coincided with three straight defeats since the turn of the year. Prior to landing his first manager’s job at Gateshead, Watson was appointed assistant-manager at Macclesfield Town under John Askey, who The Press understands was interviewed for the City vacancy too.
Watson also worked alongside ex-Newcastle team-mate Lee Clark, another candidate believed to be interested in the Bootham Crescent role, in coaching positions with Huddersfield and Birmingham City – the latter at Championship level.
As a player, a long list of Watson’s former team-mates, during 14 campaigns as a Premier League performer, reads like a modern era Who’s Who of footballing greats, having shared dressing rooms with the likes of Paul Gascoigne, Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer, Stuart Pearce, Gareth Southgate, Ian Rush, John Barnes, Peter Beardsley, David Ginola, Faustino Asprilla, and Andy Cole.
Born in North Shields, City’s new manager is the youngest-ever player to make a senior appearance for Newcastle, making his debut in November 1990 at the age of 16 years and seven months as a substitute during a 2-1 defeat to Wolves.
During nine seasons with the Magpies, he wore every shirt number from 2 to 11, illustrating his versatility, and he was a 76th-minute substitute during the 2-0 1998 FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal.
He subsequently spent two seasons at Aston Villa, before a five-year spell with Everton.
Ex-England skipper Robson then signed him for West Brom, where Watson plied his trade between 2005 and 2007.
After long-term injury problems, Watson hung up his boots in 2009 at the age of 35 having spent two seasons with Sheffield Wednesday.
In total, he managed 556 professional appearances and scored 38 goals.
He was also capped 12 times and scored once for the England under-21 team and played one match for his country at B level.
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York City appoint new manager who was a former contender for Chester FC post
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By Dave Powell
York City have confirmed that former Newcastle United and Everton player Steve Watson has taken on the managerial role at Bootham Crescent.
The Minstermen have struggled so far this season and lie in 16th place in the National League North and parted company with Sam Collins after they were beaten 1-0 at Curzon Ashton on Saturday.
Watson has resigned from his position as manager of Gateshead, who are eighth in the National League and a point off the play-off places, in order to take on the role, where he will be joined by his number two at the Heed, Micky Cummins.
Former Macclesfield Town assistant, Watson, was interviewed for the Chester FC job in 2016 following the sacking of Steve Burr, with the job eventually going to Jon McCarthy.
He was heavily linked prior to Marcus Bignot's appointment in September 2017 but was not one of those invited to interview.
He took the Gateshead job in October 2017 and has done an impressive job in the North East despite operating under tight finances and a transfer embargo. He led the Heed to safety last season as well as the FA Trophy semi-final.
A statement from York's board of directors read: "We are delighted to welcome Steve Watson to the club as first team manager along with his assistant Micky Cummins.
"The board conducted a series of interviews with a number of candidates but Steve impressed with his considerable experience as a player and coach, his knowledge of the game at all levels, and his vision for the club.
"He has demonstrated an ability to be successful on a limited budget at Gateshead and is prepared to step down from a higher league to strive for success at York City Football Club.
"The board will now be fully supportive of Steve's aims and ambitions and wish both men every success in their task."
Watson, 44, is York's third manager this season after they parted company with Martin Gray in August after just five games of the season.
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York City appoint Gateshead boss Steve Watson as manager
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Steve Watson has resigned as manager of Gateshead to become York City’s new boss.
The Minstermen are currently 16th in National League North while Watson had guided the Heed into play-off contention in Non-League’s top flight.
Watson was appointed Gateshead manager in October 2017 in what was his first senior management role.
The club was taken over in the summer and Watson had to completely rebuild his squad on limited resources, but they currently sit one point off the play-offs.
He will be joined at York by his assistant Micky Cummins.
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York confirm new manager is Gateshead boss Watson
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By Sam Elliott
Steve Watson has been confirmed as the new manager of York City.
The Gateshead boss resigned his position this morning and steps down to the National League North.
York have only been without a boss since parting company with Sam Collins on Saturday night.
The quickly identified their man and have moved to bring him to Bootham Crescent.
Watson has taken the Heed into play-off contention in the National League and brings with him assistant manager Micky Cummins.
City's board of directors released a statement reading: “We are delighted to welcome Steve Watson to the club as first team manager along with his assistant Micky Cummins.
“The board conducted a series of interviews with a number of candidates but Steve impressed with his considerable experience as a player and coach, his knowledge of the game at all levels, and his vision for the club.
“He has demonstrated an ability to be successful on a limited budget at Gateshead and is prepared to step down from a higher league to strive for success at York City Football Club.
“The board will now be fully supportive of Steve's aims and ambitions and wish both men every success in their task.”
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Steve Watson appointed manager
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By Ian Appleyard
York City Football Club is delighted to confirm the appointment of Steve Watson as first team manager.
Watson resigned from his post as manager of Vanarama National League side Gateshead this morning and will commence his new role on Monday.
He will be joined by Micky Cummins who has also resigned today from his role as Gateshead's assistant-manager.
Watson, 44, moved into coaching nine years ago after an illustrious playing career with Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Everton, West Bromwich Albion, and Sheffield Wednesday.
He was employed as a coach by Huddersfield Town and Birmingham City and assistant-manager at Macclesfield Town before accepting his first managerial role at Gateshead in October 2017.
Watson ensured Gateshead survived in the National League last season and reached the semifinals of the FA Trophy. This season, he has steered Gateshead into the promotion race with the club currently sitting eighth in the table.
A statement from City's board of directors states: "We are delighted to welcome Steve Watson to the club as first team manager along with his assistant Micky Cummins.
"The board conducted a series of interviews with a number of candidates but Steve impressed with his considerable experience as a player and coach, his knowledge of the game at all levels, and his vision for the club.
"He has demonstrated an ability to be successful on a limited budget at Gateshead and is prepared to step down from a higher league to strive for success at York City Football Club.
"The board will now be fully supportive of Steve's aims and ambitions and wish both men every success in their task."
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Watson sets the immediate goals
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By Ian Appleyard
Steve Watson has been outlining his immediate goals after taking over as City manager.
The former Newcastle United and Everton defender will start work on Monday morning after resigning today from his post as manager of Vanarama National League promotion-chasers Gateshead.
City, whose next league game is at third-placed Stockport County on January 19, are currently nine points off the play-off places in Vanarama National League North with 17 games remaining.
However, speaking to the official website, Watson, 44, said: "The challenge of taking this club back through the leagues is an exciting one for any young manager.
"It will take a lot of hard work but I am more than willing to roll my sleeves up and I can't wait to get started.
"There are probably only two clubs in National League North that are 'League clubs' waiting to happen again and York is one of them. There is huge potential here and my job is to realise that potential."
Watson, who made over 500 appearances during a playing career that spanned two decades, moved into coaching when injury curtailed his career nine years ago.
He briefly stood in as caretaker-manager of Sheffield Wednesday but moved into coaching at Huddersfield Town and Birmingham City and was assistant-manager at Macclesfield Town.
He has spent the last 15 months in charge of Gateshead - and has led the club to the brink of the play-off zone on a limited budget.
"My immediate job is to get every ounce of effort and energy out of the current squad for the remainder of the season and then look at where we are in the summer when I can put my own stamp on it," he said.
"Every player at this club now has a fresh start and the chance to get us out of the position we are in and higher up the league.
"I want to create a really positive environment around the whole club. Not just at the training ground but among the fans, the media, and around the city. My job is to lift the whole place, create a positive environment, and the results will follow.
"Coming to any big club, you accept pressure," he added. "If you don't, you are in the wrong job. I accept the pressure that this season's target is still the play-offs. It is achievable, it is going to be tough, but nothing worthwhile is ever easy.
"The immediate aim is to get back on a winning streak and bring back the feelgood factor and get some momentum going again and see what we can do.
"There is always one team that comes from nowhere and makes a late push for the play-offs and I hope that will be us. I understand how tough a task it will be - but it is mathematically possible so that has to be the aim.
"The club's league status was immaterial in my thought process," he added. "It was all about the potential - with the new stadium and the training facilities - and what we can achieve here," he added. "You don't take a job unless you believe you can be successful."
Describing his style of management, Watson said: "I am an open book and I am very honest. At Gateshead, we have been playing as good a football as any team in that league. I like fast attacking football with a really solid base and that's how I like to set my teams up."
Watson will be officially unveiled as manager at a Bootham Crescent press conference on Monday afternoon.
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Club statement - Steve Watson & Micky Cummins
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 GATESHEAD FC
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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 1, York City 0
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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