While most readers of this article have their own team firmly wedged in the forefront of their mind, the fortunes of nearby York City are worthy of attention.
The club, until a decade ago a football league stalwart, has stagnated in recent times, struggling in non-leagues, often so close to regaining its professional status yet always falling short at the final hurdle. Its infrastructure could currently survive in the football league, in terms of fan base and finance, yet it is without question that their stadium, the dilapidated Bootham Crescent, is a major off-field factor which is preventing the club reaching the heights of yesteryear.
A new community stadium for the City of York, to house football and York Knights rugby club, has been mooted for years but only recently have the plans been released into the public domain for completion by 2013/2014. To be built at Monks Cross, the 6,000-seater stadium will have room for expansion and, if approved, will be built alongside a major retail park. Parties concerned have filed a planning application to the City of York Council, showing that the project is making real progress, and isn’t just one long pipe dream.
The club was boosted last month with the news that the Football Stadium Improvement Fund (FSIF), who previously granted the club a £2m loan to be paid back in September 2012, are satisfied with the willingness to see the plans completed to the extent that they will extend the terms of the loan for a further year until 2013, to coincide with the completion of the new stadium.
This positive signal highlights the attitude that is currently held in the City, that this project will breathe new life into sport in York, and especially the football club, which yearns so longingly to be back in the professional leagues.
On the pitch, a bright start to the season has increased the optimism, a couple of poor defeats to the likes of Alfreton Town on the whole overshadowed by thumping wins against promotion rivals such as Luton and Wrexham. In Andre Boucaud they have a Trinidad and Tobago international playmaker that can play at a higher level, while striker Jason Walker has already scored over 10 goals this season. Manager Gary Mills seems to be succeeding in eradicating profligacy in front of goal.
The future is bright for the Minstermen, and let’s hope that the new ground will let the city have a football team to be truly proud of in the 21st century.