In less than a month York will commence their 2012 season, which marks a return to the football league. First up is a difficult trip to Doncaster, who were relegated from the Championship last year, in the League Cup. Of course York’s main focus of the season will be on their League Two campaign, where they will be aiming to consolidate their position in the football league, and even attempt to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Exeter, Stevenage and Crawley, all of whom have been promoted from League Two at the first attempt. On 18th August York’s League Two campaign gets underway as they host Wycombe, another newcomer to the league, but unlike York they arrive by virtue of the anguish of relegation from League One rather than by the joys of promotion.
Before all of that though York have a series of pre-season matches to enjoy or endure whichever way you look at it. The hard miles and fitness training is already underway, as boss Gary Mills sets about conditioning his team in preparation for the big kickoff. Pre-season also gives the new faces time to settle down at the club, and undoubtedly Mills will have a selection headache at the start of the season, as he works out his starting XI.
Indeed York’s pre-season campaign commences today, but it is unlikely that tonight’s opposition will compare with the top league two sides. Instead of a trip to Valley Parade or Vale Park, York make the short trip to Huntington Sports Field, where they will play against Huntington Rovers, with a 7pm kickoff tonight. Any money raised will go to the Steve Myers safe hands charity, in honour of former Huntington goalkeeper Steve Myers, who died suddenly of a brain tumour in August 2011. This is then followed by trips to Harrogate Railway Athletic and Pickering Town over the next week, as York’s players get back into gear and build up their match fitness.
Greater opposition lies in wait though on Saturday 21st July, as Bootham Crescent plays host to its first game of the season, as York welcome League One side Oldham, a strong outfit managed by Paul Dickov, who is trying to build on his managerial reputation after a successful playing career. Trips to Gateshead and Grantham then follow, before York finish of their preparations with arguably their two most mouth watering fixtures.
On Saturday 4th August, York welcome Middlesbrough to Bootham Crescent in the David McGurk benefit match. Centre back McGurk’s York career started with a loan move from Darlington in 2004, and after three loan spells at the club, the move was made permanent in 2006. Since then he has been a consistent performer, amassing 296 appearances for the club, and scoring five goals in the process.
Pre-season then finishes with York hosting Sunderland three days later, a glamorous tie against a strong Premiership outfit. What sort of Sunderland side will be on display remains to be seen, but it is likely that some big names will be present. Whatever side Sunderland put out, it is likely to be a strong one. The two final fixtures will be challenging, but will be a good workout and excellent experience for an ambitious and enthusiastic side such as York.
So that takes you to the end of York’s pre-season and after that business gets underway, as results become important. All of the preparation will have been completed, and it’ll be down to the players to deliver as York look to add another memorable campaign to prior achievements.