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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 Crowcroft (Ludlow)
I’d advise the new manager to stay tight-lipped; I think his predecessors have talked themselves into unnecessary positions but then I’m a fan of that old 1950s political interview: ‘Minister, do you have anything more to add?’ Pause.’ No, I don’t think so.’
Buckle down, let performances then results speak for themselves, forget the play-offs until numbers begin to suggest it.
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Your invitation to a Q&A night with Malcolm Clarke
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YOUTH REPORT | York City 2-1 Chester
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 CHESTER FC
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By Albert Davies
Defending Champions Chester FC bowed out of the National League Youth Alliance Cup after a 2-1 defeat to York City.
A first half goal from Cain Noble had given the Blues the lead at half time – however two goals in six minutes from Ethan Henderson and Kiari Ventura won it for the Minstermen at the Last 16 stage.
The game itself was slow to get started as both sides struggled to get adapted to the Bootham Crescent pitch.
However the quality in the Blues side started to show as the carved out the first chance of the game through Stuart Crilly.
Good hold up play from Marsh-Hughes and he found Crilly on the edge of the box and his shot was well saved by Ryan Whitley in the York goal.
The sparked the game into life and a minute later it was York who almost broke the deadlock.
Excellent work from Nathan Dyer down the right and he got a cross in and – but for an excellent save from Atton – Isaac Overton would have made it 1-0.
Iwan Murray then went inches wide from a free kick as the young Blues continued to press.
He then went even closer five minutes later after his half volley came back off the post.
Then four minutes before half time the young Blues took the lead.
A corner from Harry Moleneux was not well defended by Whitley and he dropped the ball to the feet of Cain Noble who lashed home the opening goal of the game.
As the game grew on York started to carve out more chances.
Luke Jones wasted the best chance of the second period – heading just wide of Attons goal when really he should’ve scored.
However it was the substitute Ethan Henderson who made the difference. On 73 minutes he equalised for York – glancing home a free header – giving Atton no chance from close range.
Then ten minutes from the full time whistle York went 2-1 up.
A corner this time from Charlie Jebson-King scrambled its way through to Kiari Ventura who squeezed it into the net.
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York City 6 Redcar Athletic 1 match report
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By Dave Flett
YORK City's new manager Steve Watson looked on as a home side, consisting purely of senior professionals, defeated Redcar Athletic 6-1.
Goals from Jon Parkin, Kallum Griffiths, Joe Tait, Liam Agnew, Macaulay Langstaff and Alex Kempster eased the Minstermen into the semi-finals of the North Riding Senior Cup, with Stuart Browne getting the Northern League second division side's consolation.
Ex-Gateshead chief Watson watched the first 75 minutes of the match from the directors' box, before joining his assistant Micky Cummins in the dugout for the remainder of the match, where he witnessed a red card for on-loan Harrogate midfielder Agnew for supposed dangerous play.
Earlier, Wes York made a bright start for the hosts, firing wide from 25 yards in the second minute.
After Tait had sliced a clearance from Gary Wood’s left-wing cross narrowly wide of Adam Bartlett’s goal, York then lifted a ball in from the right that saw Parkin open the scoring on seven minutes with a header that looped over Redcar keeper Will Lawrence.
Within a minute, the Minstermen had doubled their advantage when Kempster cleverly lifted the ball into the path of a rampaging Griffiths, who drilled a firm diagonal drive into Lawrence’s bottom-right corner.
York went on to call Lawrence into action from an acute angle, while the away keeper also pushed Langstaff’s edge-of-the-box effort around his near post.
On 24 minutes, Kempster could not get enough purchase on Griffiths’ cross to extend Lawrence, before Sam Calvert headed the visitors’ only chance of the half over from ten yards.
Kempster, meanwhile, cleared the goal from point-blank range after meeting Sean Newton’s corner in the air, but Griffiths went closer when he thumped the crossbar from a 25-yard free kick.
City continued to create openings with Newton’s 20-yard attempt gathered by Lawrence, who subsequently threw up an arm to deny Parkin as he bore down on the away goal.
Tait added a third, though, on 42 minutes when he collected the loose ball following a blocked York shot and turned to find the roof of the net in confident fashion from eight yards.
The half finished with Parkin aiming a free kick too high, following a foul on Langstaff.
Half-time sub Agnew made it 4-0 from the first attack of the second period, firing an emphatic 20-yard shot past Lawrence following Langstaff's lay-off on 49 minutes.
But the visitors reduced the deficit two minutes later with their first on-target attempt as poor City defending saw Gary Redman seize on a bouncing ball in the box with Browne then reacting sharpest to crash an eight-yard effort in off the bar.
Within seconds, Adam Preston might have added a second, but headed straight at skipper-for-the-night Bartlett.
At the other end, Langstaff left Matthew Crossman on his backside but drove his 15-yard effort straight at Lawrence, before Hamza Bencherif's header from a Newton free kick was also routinely gathered.
Newton curled another free kick narrowly wide from 30 yards, but centre-back Browne might have grabbed his second goal of the night moments later when he was given a free header from Joe Bennett's corner, but cleared the crossbar.
On 82 minutes, City were then delivered a blow when Agnew was red carded despite appearing to win the ball following a strong challenge on Redman, who had been afforded far too much space down the City right channel throughout the second period.
Away sub Lance Skelton went on to head over from another corner, before Langstaff capitalised on a mistake to charge through on goal and finish firmly into Lawrence's bottom-left corner on 88 minutes.
The rout was then completed in the first minute of stoppage time when Kempster exchanged passes with Parkin through the left channel and found an empty net after deftly lifting the ball over an advancing Lawrence.
City: Bartlett, Griffiths (Law, 46), Parslow (Bencherif, 46), Tait, Newton, York, Harris, Moke (Agnew, 46), Kempster, Parkin, Langstaff. Subs not used: Wright, Ferguson.
Attendance: 352
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York City's Micky Cummins wants more "excitement" despite 6-1 win
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By Dave Flett
NEW assistant-manager Micky Cummins insisted that York City need more “urgency, excitement and positivity” despite a 6-1 victory over Redcar Athletic at Bootham Crescent.
Cummins was joined in the dugout by agitated City boss Steve Watson for the last quarter-of-an-hour of the North Riding Cup quarter-final clash, which saw the hosts name a full squad of senior professionals.
Ex-Gateshead chief Watson had watched the majority of the match scribbling notes in the directors’ box, where City chairman Jason McGill also looked on, having been absent from first-team games for a number of weeks.
Macaulay Langstaff and Alex Kempster subsequently added late goals after Stuart Browne had reduced the deficit for the Northern League second division minnows following earlier efforts from Jon Parkin, Kallum Griffiths, Joe Tait and Liam Agnew, who was red carded for supposed dangerous play on 82 minutes.
Despite the margin of victory, Cummins felt the display highlighted why the Minstermen currently find themselves sitting sixth bottom in the National League North table, pointing out: “The result was always going to go our way, but it was clear what’s missing here from the performance.
“We need a bit of tempo, urgency, excitement and positivity. I lost count of the number of sideways passes we made and me and the gaffer have an attacking philosophy and that’s what we want at the club.
“There has to be enthusiasm and a spark, because that then translates to the crowd as well. We want midfielders breaking lines and full-backs marauding forward and putting crosses in, but everything seemed to be safe and, without meaning any disrespect to Redcar, we should have been running all over them.
“We should have been dominant and looked stronger and fitter but, at times, we got brushed aside and reacted a bit slowly. It’s all stuff we can work on, though, and I don’t want to point fingers and criticise.”
In a disjointed second period, Redcar had further opportunities to net, with Cummins particularly perturbed by a vulnerability at dead-ball situations.
The former Republic of Ireland under-21 international added: “They had too many opportunities at set-pieces and we looked like we were going to concede from those situations, so that’s another area we’ve got to work on.”
Cummins went on to stress the need for more players who will inspire and guide those around them, arguing: “There aren’t many leaders and there’s some manoeuvrability in terms of what we can bring in, but our first job is to get what we have on the front foot.”
With Simon Heslop injured, Jordan Burrow was the only senior player rested from squad duty, while David Ferguson and Jake Wright were unused subs, with Cummins insisting: “You can’t read anything into the starting line-up.
“We just looked at the last few games and at the lads who needed minutes. In the videos we watched, Jordan had played a lot of minutes and we felt it was an opportunity to look at other players.
“He still did a bit of running, though, so he didn’t have the day off.”
Agnew was red-carded for a foul on Redcar winger Gary Redman, but the suspension will not apply to National League North games and Cummins questioned whether the on-loan Harrogate Town midfielder should have been dismissed in any case.
“It was sloppy play on our part, because Josh (Law) lost the ball with a square pass and I then thought Aggers was well within his rights to make a challenge,” the former Port Vale midfielder declared. “It wasn’t a lunge, it was a slide but, because the ball was in the air, their lad made a meal of it, and we were pretty disappointed by the reaction of the opposition.”
City actually finished the match with nine men, as Alex Harris left the pitch with a tight hamstring muscle, which will now be assessed before Saturday’s trip to Stockport.
Fellow midfielder Heslop is unlikely to be fit for the weekend, but both Parkin and Kempster could feature despite neither starting a first-team fixture since the first month of the season.
When asked if 37-year-old veteran Parkin still has a part to play this term, Cummins said: “It’s something we’ll look at. The intention was to give him 90 minutes, but I don’t think he got many scoring opportunities because of the team’s slow play.
“Off the ball, Jon got himself in good positions and in areas to attack crosses, but never got the supply, which is what we need to work on to get the best out of what we’ve got.”
On Kempster’s first City outing since his return from a loan spell at Spennymoor, the City number two reasoned: “He played in midfield and at wing-back and he has good energy and is positive. He also switched off a couple of times, but we can work on that.”
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Six goals for City against Redcar
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By Ian Appleyard
New manager Steve Watson looked on from the stands as City eased past Redcar Athletic into the semifinals of the North Riding Senior Cup.
Watson named a full squad of senior professionals against the Northern League Division Two part-timers and spent the majority of game in the directors' box as assistant Micky Cummins conducted operations from the touchline.
Captain Jordan Burrow and injured midfielder Simon Heslop were the notable absentees and there was also no involvement for any of the club's youngsters - including Nathan Dyer - ahead of an Under-19 League Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday afternoon against Chester.
Striker Jon Parkin opened the scoring after seven minutes - meeting a cross from Wes York with a header that went in off the underside of the crossbar.
Kallum Griffiths doubled the lead three minutes later when shooting past goalkeeper Will Lawrence from just inside the penalty area.
City started the game in a 4-3-3 system that saw rightback Griffiths frequently pushing forward.
Alex Kempster, now back from a loan spell at Spennymoor Town, played in an attacking central midfield role alongside Alex Harris and Adriano Moke.
Sean Newton, playing leftback, was unlucky not to score in the 32nd minute when his 25 yard freekick bounced back off the crossbar.
However, City added a third before the interval when centreback Joe Tait found space in the visitor's penalty area to swivel and shoot into the roof of the net.
City made three substitutions at the interval and switched to a 3-5-2 formation. It took Liam Agnew just four minutes to get on the scoresheet - the on-loan midfielder shooting past goalkeeper Lawrence from the edge of the box to open his City goal account.
Defender Stuart Browne reduced the deficit when scoring from close-range for Redcar in the 51st minute.
With City taking their foot off the gas in the second half, Watson made his way down to the touchline for the final 15 minutes of the game.
Midfielder Agnew was shown a red card for a challenge on Redcar's Stuart Redman with eight minutes to play but ten-man City still proceeded to score two further goals.
Macaulay Langstaff broke free on the edge of the penalty area and drilled the ball home in the 88th minute before Kempster completed the scoring in stoppage time after latching onto a flick from Parkin.
City: Bartlett; Griffiths (Law HT), Tait, Parslow (Bencherif HT), Newton; Harris, Kempster Moke (Agnew HT); York, Parkin, Langstaff. Unused substitutes: Wright, Ferguson.
Redcar Athletic: Lawrence; Crossen, Farrington, Woodhouse (C), Bennett, Browne, Calvert (Carmichael 73), Wood (Bivens 61), Preston, Rivis (Skelton 86), Redman. Unused substitutes: Cooper, Connelly.
Referee: Jonty Gill
Attendance: 352
Booked: Calvert, Brown (Redcar)
Sent-off: Agnew (City)
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Attacking philosophy on agenda
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By Ian Appleyard
New manager Steve Watson and his assistant Micky Cummins were quick to identify areas for improvement after Tuesday night's 6-1 victory over Redcar Athletic in the North Riding Senior Cup.
The pair took charge of a game for the first time since their arrival at Bootham Crescent and fielded a full squad of senior professionals against the part-timers from Northern League Division Two.
City won comfortably thanks to goals from Jon Parkin, Kallum Griffiths, Joe Tait, Liam Agnew, Macaulay Langstaff, and Alex Kempster however, speaking after the game, Cummins made it clear that performances will need to improve.
"We trained on Monday for the first time and we are still getting to know the boys. The result was always going to go our way but you could see what was missing in the performance," he said.
"We need a bit of tempo, a bit of urgency and excitement - not taking risks at the back but just being positive," he said. "We need some positivity around the place because, when we look positive on the pitch, that will come into the stands and that will give the lads a lift. That is clearly what is missing."
Offering his initial assesment of the playing squad, Cummins said: "We have got a strong changing room in there but we don't have many leaders. There's going to be a lot of work put in and there's manoeuvrability in terms of what we can bring in.
"But our first job is to get what we have on the front foot being positive. I lost count of the number of sideways passes. The Gaffer and I have an attacking philosophy - we want to see that. We haven't had time to put it on at the training ground but that's what we are going to do.
"We have only been in the building a couple of days and we are trying to instill that bit of belief. We want midfielders breaking lines and fullbacks marauding forward putting crosses in but everything seemed to be 'safe' and, without being disrespectful to Redcar, we should have been running all over them. We should have been dominant and looked stronger and fitter but, at times, we got brushed aside and reacted a bit slowly. It’s all stuff we can work on."
On-loan midfielder Liam Agnew was sent off for a challenge late in the game on Redcar's Gary Redman, however, the rules of the competition mean he will not be suspended for games in Vanarama National League North.
Midfielder Alex Harris limped off before the final whistle with a tight hamstring and will undergo treatment ahead of Saturday's trip to Stockport County.
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City shock holders Chester in Cup
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By Ian Appleyard
Substitutes Ethan Henderson and Kiari Ventura scored late goals as City knocked holders Chester FC out of the National League Under-19 Alliance Cup at Bootham Crescent.
Henderson headed City level in the 73rd minute before Ventura turned the ball home at a corner with just seven minutes to play.
The visitors had taken the lead four minutes before the interval when midfielder Cain Noble - one of three first team players in the Chester line-up - drilled the ball home after goalkeeper Ryan Whitley spilled the ball at a corner.
City's line-up included Nathan Dyer at rightback along with three Under-16s - Matty Dixon, Alfie Evans, and Luke Jones.
New manager Steve Watson was looking on from the stands along with sporting director Dave Penney, physio Ian Gallagher, and injured midfielder Simon Heslop.
Whitley produced a good save early on to deny Louis Hayes while Dyer had a shot blocked in the Chester area following a cross from Charlie Jebson-King.
Chester's Lloyd Marsh-Hughes struck the foot of the post with a low drive after 25 minutes while goalkeeper Alex Atton produced a flying save to tip over a header from Aston Harrison after a great delivery from the right by Dyer.
Captain Josh Rogerson was booked for a foul on Iwan Murray and Whitley pushed the subsequent freekick from Molyneux around the post. Whitley then saved a terrific volley from Stuart Crilly at the corner.
Chester took the lead four minutes before halftime when Whitley dropped the ball under pressure at a corner and Noble drilled home a low shot. City appealed in vain for a foul on Whitley who had come off his line to try and catch in a crowded penalty area.
Harrison should have equalised for City in the 53rd minute but his close-range header from Dyer's cross flew over the crossbar.
Striker Jones was ruled narrowly offside in the 62nd minute after rising to head home another excellent cross from Dyer.
However, City finally got back on level terms with 17 minutes to go when substitute Henderson headed home a left-wing cross to the far post from Jebson-King.
City snatched victory seven minutes later when Chester's defence switched off and Dyer's near post corner was deflected over the line by Ventura.
Dion Jones spurned a late opportunity to equalize for the visitors but drilled wide when unmarked on the edge of the penalty area.
City are now in the last eight of the competition having previously beaten Preston North End Myerscough and Romulus FC and been re-instated when second round opponents Salford City fielded an ineligible player.
City: Whitley; Rogerson (C), Jebson-King, Whitfield, Watson, Dixon, Dyer, Evans, Jones (Ventura 72), Overton (Jackson 63), Harrison (Henderson 54). Subs: Binsley, Cawthorn.
Chester: Atton; Butterworth, Molyneux, Cottrell, Jones (C), Clarke, Crilly, Noble, Marsh-Hughes, Murray (Edwards 88), Hayes (Goodwin 88). Subs: Ruffer, Jones.
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Next game: Stockport County (A)
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By Ian Appleyard
City visit Stockport County on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3pm) in Vanarama National League North.
It will be the first league game at the helm for City's new manager Steve Watson but the 93rd meeting between two clubs that share a long and distinguished history in the Football League.
Stockport, whose Edgeley Park ground has a 10,830 capacity, were relegated to the Conference in 2011 while City have now spent three consecutive seasons outside the Football League.
The two clubs last met at Bootham Crescent in August when Wes York's late goal gave City a 1-0 victory.
Stockport won 2-0 in last season's fixture at Edgeley Park.
'Go with Rowe' supporter information
Address: Stockport County Football Club, Edgeley Park, Hardcastle Road, Stockport, SK3 9DD
Admission : Adults (18+) £15, Concessions £10 (Students in full-time education, +65s, disabled supporters (wheelchair helper/carer free), Children 6-17 £5, U6’s FREE with a paying adult.
Disabled: Relevant price with carer free. Further information from tickets@stockportcounty.com or by phone on 0161 266 2700.
Parking: Supporters should use the nearby Booth Street car park (SK3 9DF) (Cost £4) This is a secure car-park which is manned throughout from 12pm to 6pm.
Recommended route and pre-match meal: Travel west via M62 and leave at J18 to join M60 (SP Ring Road East and South). Leave at J1 to join A560 (SP Town Centre) and join King Street West . At r/bt take 3rd. exit onto B5465 (Mercian Way ) then TL Caroline Street and TR Hardcastle Road for Edgeley Park ground on the left.
To eat first ;Leave M60 at J25 and take A560 exit onto Crookilley Way. At Portwood r/bt. take 2nd. exit onto St. Marys Way(A626). TR onto Spring Gardens then bear right onto Churchgate for the Hungry Horse Old Rectory(SK1 1YG).
Then TR from pub and TR onto Wellington Street & at r/bt take 1st. exit onto Piccadilly, TR Edward Street, Continue into Greek Street and at r/bt. join Mercian Way (B5465), TL onto Caroline Street then TR onto Hardcastle Road for the Edgeley Park ground.
Approximate mileage:80
Coach travel: Departure time: 1130. Fare: £20. Accompanied U16s. £5 discount. (Max 2 children per adult)
City supporters will be accommodated in the all-seated Vernon (South) Stand and will be segregated. Access is via East Stand Turnstiles 1, 2, 3 and 4 on Hardcastle Road. No transfers will be permitted once inside the ground. Cash-only turnstiles.
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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
Tue, Jan 15 York City 6, Redcar 1 (North Riding Cup)
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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