From rock bottom to brink of League Two: York City's dramatic National League journey

After 45 games, York City are just one away from being crowned National League champions, but everything is still riding on their final day encounter with Rochdale.

There is a cruelty in the fifth tier which the Minstermen suffered last year, as only the side that finishes top of the table will be automatically promoted to League Two.

Last season, York amassed 96 points but finished in second place, meaning that they had to settle for play-offs, with fifth-placed Oldham Athletic winning the lottery despite finishing 23 points behind them.

This term, Stuart Maynard's side have been formidable, surpassing 100 points and goals ahead of the final day, but can they achieve their ultimate goal and lift silverware at the Crown Oil Arena?

Here, DAZN News takes a look at the Minstermen's incredible journey from the lows of the National League North to the cusp of the Football League.

• Sign up now for a National League subscription to watch the final day and play-offs for just £14.99!

 

York City reach all-time-low

A decade ago, York were relegated from the EFL after finishing rock-bottom of League Two, and while that should have provided the club with a much-needed reset, things only got worse.

Successive demotions sent the Minstermen to the National League North, the sixth tier of English football, the lowest the club had ever been in their history.

Despite falling to new depths, the club stuck with manager Gary Mills, only for him to be sacked less than two months into the season.

In 2020, York were battling King's Lynn Town for the title and automatic promotion, only for the season to be curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even though they led the way by two points, promotion was taken out of their own hands after clubs voted to utilise a points-per-game method to determine the final standings.

Getty Images

New home, new hope

After a 19-year saga, the Minstermen finally moved to their new home, the LNER Community Stadium, in 2021, and with it, a new era, following 88 years at Bootham Crescent.

The state-of-the-art 8,500-capacity facility represented a beacon of hope and incorporated a leisure centre, community library and even an NHS drop-in centre.

York were due a bit of luck, and in 2022, they got it when they were promoted back to the National League via the play-offs, having spent five seasons in the sixth tier.

Attendances increased, with an average of just over 4,800 supporters in the 2022/23 season, but with the club battling to survive, they needed more investment.

PA

Uggla family provide investment

In June 2023, the Uggla family - led by Julie-Anne and her son Matthew - completed a 51% take over of York, purchasing the club via their company 394 Sports Ltd.

"We can really take this club as far as we want to take it," Matthew Uggla told the club's website.

"I think the sky really is the limit; there's not really a ceiling on this club. It's just a case of putting the right structures and plans in place to really go for it."

Shortly after, the club signed Dipo Akinyemi for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £260,000, from Scottish Championship outfit Ayr United - a record fee for a Non-League club.

York endure play-off agony

More signings followed, with the club breaking the Non-League record transfer fee again by acquiring Josh Stones for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £360,000, from League One side Wigan Athletic - a real statement of intent.

Despite building a stellar National League side, York were unable to clinch an automatic promotion spot last term, finishing six points behind champions Barnet.

Clearly, that was a bitter blow to the Minstermen, and despite having considerable time to regroup and go again, they were dismantled 3-0 by Oldham in the play-off semi-finals, even though the Latics finished 23 points behind them.

Oldham went on to achieve promotion to League Two, highlighting the cruelty of the current National League system and the importance of the 3UP campaign, which has yet to be heard.

Can Stuart Maynard get Minstermen over the line?

This season started slowly for York, with the club taking decisive early action and sacking manager Adam Hinshelwood after just four league games, following a breakdown in relationship with the owners.

In came Maynard, who had been recently sacked by League Two club Notts County for failing to achieve promotion to the third tier.

However, his CV made for encouraging reading, having led Wealdstone to the National League South title in 2020 - the club's highest league position in over 30 years.

Maynard has managed to get the best out of his side's attack, with the Minstermen galloping to 113 goals, including 34 from striker Ollie Pearce, but will it be enough to clinch the title?

On the eve of the definitive day in the National League, York boast a two-point lead over challengers Rochdale, and having beaten them twice already this season, they should have the psychological edge.

But can they get over the line and exorcise the pains of the last decade? If they can, then expect an outpouring of emotion like no other in OL11.

Watch National League football live exclusively on DAZN

All National League matches on the final day of the season, plus all matches across the playoffs for all three divisions, will be available on DAZN for £14.99 with an NLTV Season Pass.

From next season, DAZN will have more National League coverage than ever before with:

• 400+ National League games live on DAZN from the 26/27 season
• Every National League team live at least 30 times a season
• A selection of National League North and National League South matches available every month
• Every playoff game live

NLTV on DAZN is available on any device, including Smart TVs, mobile devices, tablets, streaming devices, games consoles, and, for viewers in the UK, your Sky box.

If you do not have the App already then just follow these instructions....

• Download the free DAZN App from your normal App store on your TV, phone, tablet, or streaming device
• On a laptop or PC    visit www.DAZN.com/home
• Select 'Get started' or 'log in'
• Enter your email address, or sign up via the Apple, Google or Facebook options
• You then have access to all of DAZN's free content, including the Matchroom boxing channel, LIV Golf and FIFA+
• Then find the National League page and click 'buy now'

For more information and to sign up, head here now.