Life After York City - Under The Radar
Steve Agnew Appointed Hull’s Assistant Manager in the summer of 2012 and helped guide them into the Premiership in his first season. Prior to that, he had spells on the coaching staff at Gateshead, Middlesbrough, Leeds and Hartlepool. In 2010, he had a spell as Middlesbrough's caretaker manager, joined Hull as assistant manager in 2012 and returned to Middlesbrough as assistant manager in 2014 where he was appointed caretaker manager in March 2017 when Aitor Karanka was sacked. He was also on Steve Bruce's coaching staff at Aston Villa, Sheffield Wednesday and Newcastle. On January 30, 2023, he joined Aberdeen as interim assistant manager under Barry Robson, both were elevated to permanent positions in May before both were sacked on January 31, 2024. On September 3, 2024, he joined Blackpool, as assistant manager under Steve Bruce. Meanwhile, his nephew Jordan Rhodes has banged in the goals for many years. (Last updated: 10/09/2024).
Colin Alcide Signed in 1999 for £80,000, he wasn’t very good, we were lucky to sell him for £30,000. Wikipedia claims his greatest moment for City was when, playing at centre half, he sliced a meaningless free kick from inside his own half straight into the Popular Stand. His post City career included playing in The UEFA Cup (for Welsh side TNS) and an appearance on ITV’s “Gladiators”, as, if memory serves me right, Darkspear.
Peter Aitken Short term signing from Bristol Rovers who when offered a contract extension preferred something nearer his Bristol home. He found a new club in Hong Kong.
Calvin Andrew After a loan spell with City in spring 2014 he returned to Rochdale where he spent another 6 seasons before being released. After 9 months out of the game, he joined Barrow in March 2021 and stayed for the rest of the season, scoring one goal in 11 appearances, mirroring his career record. In 2023, I discovered him on BBC Squad Goals (18 months after he joined them), a knockabout "podcast" style, north-west centric show which seems to run alongside the BBC's EFL coverage (BBC rights don't permit live commentary of EFL games over the internet in Britain). Rumour had it that he trialled for City and South Shields post Barrow.
Moses Ashikodi A chequered career, both before and after City reached its nadir when he walked off the pitch during Chatham's 3-0 loss to Greenwich Borough on 3rd December 2016 following an on pitch argument with team-mate Ricky Freeman. As a sub, he’d only been on the pitch for seven minutes and meant his team played the final fifteen minutes with only ten men having used all of their substitutes. He was immediately sacked.
Mark Atkins After City, he played for Doncaster, Hull, Shrewsbury and Harrogate. At Doncaster and Shrewsbury, he had brief spells as caretaker manager. A 6 year spell as Matlock Town’s manager ended in 2014 but in March 2024, he was re-appointed as their manager in succession to Martin Carruthers. (Last updated: 31/03/2024).
Paddy Atkinson Born in Singapore, he probably should have stayed there. York’s own utility player from the 1990s. A favourite of Alan Little and all the boo boys. Never able to pin down one position, he was tried in most, all to no positive effect. Wherever he played, he was equally bad. Possibly one in a long list of City’s worst ever players or maybe he just had a bad 3 years with City, as he continued to play professional soccer until his mid thirties before becoming a leading light in non league football in the north east. He featured in a TV documentary about Bedlington Terriers and their USA trip. Often works with Paul Baker, the ex City striker. Today he counts Wayne Rooney and Guy Mowbray amongst his large twitter followers. See Steve Bowey below.
Paul Baker He was a scout working under Glenn Roeder at Norwich in 2008. He joined Newcastle in 2016 and as they strengthened their academy structure under Dan Ashworth, he was confirmed as Academy Lead Scout for the North in June 2023. (Last updated: 13/06/2023).
Fred Barber In July 2019, was Crewe's goalkeeping coach and running soccer camps in the midlands and Switzerland.
Jeff Barmby Young reserve striker from the early 1960s, he later had a long and successful career at non league Scarborough in a side that was built around City cast offs and won 3 times at Wembley. Father of Nick and grandfather of Jack, a Manchester United youngster who came up against City when out on loan.
Chris Beardsley After his playing career ended at Mansfield in 2016, 8 years after leaving City, he was appointed fitness coach at Burton Albion, then a Championship club. He briefly resumed his playing career in 2018 and in 2021, he had one game in charge as joint caretaker manager. In August 2023, he was appointed a FIFA Development Coach in Aruba, a Caribbean island. (Last updated: 29/08/2023).
Marlon Beresford After his playing career ended at Luton in 2008, he has enjoyed a varied career, spending time as keeper coach at Barnet, Motherwell, in Saudi Arabia (before the big money arrived) and with the Northern Ireland age group sides. He also works as a radio summariser on BBC local radio and has run an accountancy training company. In 2022 he was appointed Woking’s keeper coach and maintained that role when Michael Doyle was appointed their manager in December 2023. (Last updated: 17/12/2023).
Leo Bertos If New Zealand had qualified for the 2006 World Cup finals and if he was still with City, he would, if selected, have been the first current City player to play in the World Cup finals. Failed on all accounts but still ended up marking Ronaldinho for New Zealand against Brazil in their final friendly before the World Cup started. In 2010, Bertos played every minute of New Zealand's 3 games at the World Cup in South Africa.
Steve Bowey Joined City in 2006 when turning down Scottish Premier League outfit St Mirren for a part time contract with City (he was a carpet fitter by trade). He spent a season with City before playing for the likes of Gateshead, Newcastle Blue Star, Ayr, Harrogate, Benfield, Consett and Dunston UTS. Later roles involved coaching and management responsibilties. In October 2017 he was appointed manager of Ashington and lasted 15 months. In October 2022, he was appointed manager of Chester Le Street. In March 2012, he featured in "Mr Rich & The Terriers", a BBC documentary about Bedlington Terriers and their American tycoon sponsor. The Terriers squad featured 2 ex City midfielders, Steve Bowey and Stuart Elliott. The programme centred on the Terriers trip to their tycoon's home town of Buffalo in The States. They lost 5-1. probably what you'd expect from a team coached by another ex City midfielder, Paddy Atkinson. (Last updated: 30/10/2022).
Phil Boyer Once when chatting with long time strike partner Ted MaDougall, he noted how he would love to travel and play across the world as MacDougall had done, when asked why he hadn't, he replied, "I can't, I've got a budgie to look after". (Last updated: 23/04/2023).
Adam Boyes After 18 months with Scunthorpe, he was released and was subsequently a regular goalscorer for over a decade with many non league clubs, mainly based in the north east. During the 2021/2 season, he scored eleven goals for Northern Premier League Division One East side Marske United FC throughout the season’s FA cup competition, with five coming in one match. In the women’s FA Cup, Chloe Williams scored 12 goals in four games for Liskeard Athletic including a remarkable seven in a single tie. They were invited to Wembley Stadium as guests of The FA to carry out the match balls on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 May, watch the respective FA Cup Finals and receive their FA Golden Ball awards for being top scorers in the seasons FA Cup competitions. Liverpool’s legendary striker Ian Rush, who scored a record five goals across three Final victories, presented Adam’s award and Chloe received hers from Faye White who was a winner of the competition on nine occasions with Arsenal. (Last updated: 18/05/2022).
Matt Blinkhorn After leaving City in 2012, he returned to his native north west, playing for Hyde, AFC Fylde and joined Lancaster in 2018. As his playing career wound down, he sought a career in coaching. In 2015 he was appointed as the Lead Foundation Coach at Blackpool’s academy. In August 2018, he was appointed a youth development lead coach at Fleetwood Town. A month later, his Lancaster playing role expanded when he was appointed their joint caretaker manager alongside Craig Stanley for 6 games. In 2020, he returned to Blackpool FC as the youth academy's Head of Coaching. On April 8, 2023, following the sacking of Mick McCarthy, he was part of the temporary management team working under caretaker manager Stephen Dobbie. (Last updated: 08/04/2023).
Jim Branagan Settled in his native Lancashire and for many years worked as a salesman (a staple of many ex footballers) before being sacked and finding a job in Tesco.
Chris Brass After City, most closely associated with Bury. First as a player, then as manager. Worked under Alan Knill at Bury, Scunthorpe and Torquay. Appointed Bury's Assistant Manager in December 2013. Also, well remembered for a spectacular own goal when his overhead clearance hit him in the face, breaking his own nose and rebounding into the goal when playing for Bury at Darlington in 2007. Subsequently he has enjoyed a long and varied coaching and managerial career including various roles at Bury, including 3 weeks as caretaker manager (2008) and later as assistant manager under Alan Knill, the duo later reprised those roles at Scunthorpe and Torquay. He was appointed Torquay’s manager on the sacking of Knill. In December 2013, he returned to Bury where he performed various backroom roles before being appointed manager in December 2016, but lasted just 2 months. In 2018, he was working at Wigan and the summer of 2021, he joined Nottingham Forest as director of scouting / head of academy recruitment, and one of his important roles was to ensure the integration and alignment of academy and first-team recruitment. No doubt he had busy 2022 summer as Forest returned to the Premier League. (Last updated: 30/05/2023).
Paul Brayson In 2023, Brayson was still playing aged 45 albeit for Newcastle Benfield. In a long playing career, he joined Newcastle Benfield in 2013 and later became player manager, If wikipedia is to be believed, he’d scored over a goal a game in around 250 appearances for them over 10 seasons. Read More. (Last updated: 10/10/2023).
Steve Brown There might be one or there might be 2 Steve Browns. One was City’s kit man sometime before April 2003. A former semi pro footballer, he enjoyed a 23 year association with Pickering Town, including spells as manager and coach, which ended as assistant manager (under Jimmy Reid) in November 2013. He is married to top Malton racehorse trainer Julie Camacho. Their daughter, Sam Brown has ridden as an amateur jockey on the flat. Was also previously a coach at City’s academy. It is unknown whether this is the same Steve Brown who was City’s kit man briefly in 2021. (Last updated: 15/07/2023).
David Buchanan Was the better half of a potent partnership in various Leicester junior sides with Gary Lineker. Lost his way and ended up in the reserves at Sunderland. Joined City on loan when Marco Gabbiadini signed for the Roker Park outfit. We very quickly sent him back after his loan spell and soon his Football League career was over.
Lee Bullock After his professional career ended in 2013 at Bradford City, he had a long association with Whitby Town. In February 2024, he was appointed as a coach at Redcar Athletic. In April 2024, he appeared on Channel 5's "Inside The Force", a documentary about Cleveland Police where he was a new / trainee PC. (Last updated: 24/04/2024).
John Byrne First former City player to later play in the World Cup. Last seen working as a chiropodist in Sussex.
Laurie Calloway After City, he played for Shrewsbury before leaving England in 1974. He spent 6 years playing football in America around the San Francisco area. He joined NASL side San Jose Earthquakes where he spent 4 seasons before a year with Southern California Lazers (American Soccer League) as player / coach before returning to the Earthquakes for a final season. In his first year with the Earthquakes, he was selected for an Honorable Mention (third team) in the NASL All Star XI. Jimmy Johnstone, the Scotland and Celtic legend was a teammate and his opponents included the likes of George Best, Pele, Cryuff and Franz Beckenbauer as NASL throw money at the game. With his retirement from playing, Calloway became a full-time coach, a job he would do for the next thirty years. Initially an assistant coach, he was appointed Seattle Sounders’(NASL) head coach in March 1983. The role lasted just one season before the NASL collapsed. However, he later coached San Francisco Bay Blackhawks, San Jose Clash, Syracuse Salty Dogs, Rochester Raging Rhinos and Des Moines Menace before they released him after a second spell in 2012. Possibly his greatest coaching honour was to guide the Blackhawks into the 1992 CONCACAF Champions' Cup. Under Calloway's direction, they reached the semi finals. Whilst with the Salty Dogs, he bought each player a glass of wine before one early season, a game, they won, he repeated the prep for every game to follow that season, ending with a 10-0-2 winning record. He also found time to run the Calloway United Soccer Academy and for a time he was executive vice president of the Brazilian Youth Soccer Association in the USA. Some of his methods might have made him unpopular with some of his players. (Last updated: 13/04/2024).
Cliff Calvert One of the few players from our 2 seasons in the old Division 2 (1974-6) to go onto better things. He secured a £30,000 move to Sheffield United. Emigrated to Canada where he is believed to be a fireman. Son in law of Keith Usher. (Last updated: 20/09/2022).
Graham Carr As a centre half, he spent the 1968/9 season with City. Then downhill, he spent the next season with Bradford PA, their last as a league club before doing the non league rounds. Managerial spells at Dartford, Weymouth and Nuneaton followed before becoming Northampton manager in 1985. Sacked and was made manager at Blackpool. In those days, it was possible for a good English manager to work his way up through the divisions. In Carr's case, he also worked his way back down to non league management. Somewhere along the way, he teamed up as a scout under David Pleat at Spurs, found his way to Manchester City and Notts County, the last 2 under Sven-Göran Eriksson, before finding his way back to Spurs. In February 2010 he left Spurs to join Newcastle United as their chief scout. Was instrumental in unearthing their legions of Frenchmen and was rewarded with an eight year contract. Despite all that, he’s best known as the father of comedian Alan Carr.
Martin Carruthers He undertook various player / coach roles at Basford United (Northern Premier League, Division One South) and was appointed manager in December 2018, the ex City 1999 loanee had earlier finished his playing career as a 40 year old. A career that wound down with clubs around his Nottingham home and included a spell as Notts County's Education Manager. Over the years, he has managed number of midlands based lower tier non league clubs, including Arnold Town (2009–2012), Basford United (2013–2019, various roles), Quorn (2019), Ilkeston Town (2019–2022) and Matlock Town (2022–2024). In March 2024, he was re-appointed Basford United manager with former City player, Mark Atkins replacing him. (Last updated: 31/03/2024).
Mark Cartwright A former City junior keeper, he never graduated beyond our intermediates and left us in 1991. He later had a professional career between 1991 and 2005 where he made over 100 first team appearances for Stockport, Wrexham, Bury, Brighton, Shrewsbury and Halifax. Subsequently, he seemed completely off our radar working as a goalkeeping coach and football agent in Staffordshire, Scotland, USA and Korea until he was appointed Stoke’s Chief Executive in November 2012. As Technical Director, he seemed instrumental in the departure of Tony Pulis in May 2013. He later worked for The FA and in August 2021 he was appointed Sporting Director at the United Soccer League in Florida. On July 3, 2023, he was appointed Huddersfield's new Sporting Director. (Last updated: 11/07/2023).
Jon Challinor After leaving City in 2013, he re-joined one of his earliest clubs, Lincolnshire based Stamford where he was still playing in 2024 when he was selected for England's squad to travel to Thailand for Seniors' World Cup. (Last updated: 31/05/2024).
Darius Charles He joined City from Ebbsfleet along with Michael Gash and Neil Barrett in June 2009. His girlfriend didn’t fancy York and the deal were cancelled 2 days later. At Stevenage, he was a regular in their 2013/4 Division 1 side, playing both centre back and centre forward and with a reasonable scoring record.
Craig Clay In May 2019, he was voted Leyton Orient's Player Of The Year in their non league double winning season. In August 2022, he started his 6th season with The Os. Released at the end of that season, he joined Sutton in time for the start of the 2023/4 season. (Last updated: 23/09/2023).
Franklyn Clarke Signed in July 2016 from Dorchester Town, he returned there less than 4 months later after an injury hit City career which resulted in just 2 appearances. Later, he drifted around various Dorset clubs until in July 2024 when he was appointed manager of Weymouth's Under 23 side. (Last updated: 17/07/2024).
Graham Collier A 1978 loanee from Barnsley, he was a member of England's victorious team at first ever World Nations Cup of walking football held at St George's in August 2023. (Last updated: 23/09/2023).
Sam Collins After City, he coached at Barnsley (2019/20 as their Youth Development Phase Lead) and Mansfield (Professional Development Phase Lead). In October 2020, he was appointed part of Richard Cooper's (see below) caretaker management team before the appointment of Nigel Clough when he reverted to his academy role. In October 2023, he left Mansfield to return to Barnsley to become their Academy Head of Coaching. (Last updated: 18/10/2023).
Gordon Connelly Alan Little paid £70,000 to Airdrie for Connelly who flattered to deceive. His only redeeming feature was that we managed to recoup fifty grand when we sold him to Southend in 1999, guess which sucker was their manager? Step forward Alan Little. In 2012, if you believe Wikipedia, Connelly was living in Moscow, "trying to resurrect his amateur career with the Storming Cloggs expat football team playing as a forward alongside equally famous fellow British strikers Ian Crompton and Juan Lopez". How the mighty have fallen.
Mark Convery Right sided midfielder. How low had we sunk when a Darlo cast off became a City star. He spent 2 seasons (2005-7) with us, then 2 seasons at Cambridge before returning to the north east and winding down his career. He was appointed Newcastle Benfield manager in 2015,one of several ex City players to hold that post. How I yearn for the days when our cast offs became Darlo stars, Peter Bainbridge, Eddie Rowles, John Williams and Gary Himsworth included, remember them well.
Richard Cooper Appointed Mansfield caretaker manager (30th October 2020), Sam Collins was a part of his 5 man management team. Unbeaten in a 3 game spell before Nigel Clough took office before being appointed Mansfield's Academy Manager. Formerly had had a career as an under age group coach, including time with Peterborough. (Last updated: 30/10/2020).
Adrian Costello Ex City junior and youth coach. Later managed Hull City Ladies, York City Ladies and Garforth Town. Appointed manager of Swedish club Ytterhogdals IK for the 2018 season, he defied the odds and saved the minnows from relegation. HIs efforts were rewarded by the club winning a prestigious award, the Jamtland and Harjedalens region’s Team of the Year for 2018. Their side included Alex (son of Andy) McMillan. Read More. (Last updated: 25/11/2019).
Neil Cox In September 2024, he was reported to be assistant manager to Lee Bowyer, the Montserrat national team manager. (Last updated: 10/09/2024).
Jimmy Crangle Today I'm going back 50 years to 1972 and, in a break from the usual, I'm featuring a programme from a game that I didn't attend (I wasn't permitted to go to football until I was 14 years old). This game is a special one for at least one person however as it represented the Football League debut of a man whom I have been lucky enough to get to know as a result of producing my Football Programme Memoirs blog. I wonder how many York City fans that are reading this will remember one Jimmy Crangle? Not many I'd wager. Jimmy made just four Football League appearances, all for York City. Nevertheless that's nothing to be scoffed at and is surely four more than almost everybody who will read this article. This is Jimmy's story.
Jimmy was born in Glasgow in 1953 and he grew up in the tenements of Glasgow's south side kicking a football around from an early age. It was the classic "jumpers for goalposts" scenario, playing until it got dark. The streets were tough and the football was tough too: the original school of hard knocks. At twelve years of age, Jimmy moved from Junior to Senior school and, during his first breaktime, he was spotted running rings with a football around the other kids and quickly came to the attention of the Sports Master (one Harry Morgan) who was responsible for the school team. Jimmy then found himself pitched into the school's reserve side that very Saturday and scored all seven (!) in his side's 7-0 victory. Little wonder that Jimmy never played for the school reserve team again!
Mr Morgan correctly predicted that Jimmy would become a professional footballer one day and stoked Jimmy's ambitions accordingly. It's fair to say that Jimmy ate, drank and slept football as a schoolboy and he was playing two games each Saturday: a morning appearance for his school followed by one in the afternoon for his local Boys Guild side. It was during this period that he was spotted by the most successful Juvenile (under-21) club in the history of Scottish football: Campsie Black Watch FC. Jimmy joined Campsie in 1970 and played for them for over two years, finding himself in the shop window as scouts from professional clubs flocked to watch Scotland's top Juvenile side. Whilst at Campsie, Jimmy appeared in the Scottish Juvenile FA Cup Final winning the game 3-2 and getting two of the goals. Around the same time, Jimmy was picked for trials for the Scotland Juvenile squad although he didn't make the final cut. Scouts from Everton, Ipswich Town and York City were all interested in Jimmy however and he also had a brief trial with Sheffield United.
In May 1972, Jimmy was invited to come down to England to spend a week on trial with York City followed by another week with Ipswich Town. The Town manager at the time, the late great Bobby Robson, had made the trip up to Scotland to watch Campsie personally. Robson was initially wanting to see one of Jimmy's team mates but couldn't fail to also be impressed by the boy on the other wing. It was Jimmy of course. Even before travelling down South for his two trials, Jimmy took calls from Everton manager Harry Catterick who attempted to persuade him to go to Everton instead. Thankfully Jimmy was a man of his word and he chose to honour his commitment to visit York City and Ipswich first.
York's manager at the time was Tom Johnston and, astonishingly, only three days into Jimmy's trial, he had already seen enough to offer the youngster a two year full-time professional contract! Mindful of his promise to spend the following week with Ipswich Town, Jimmy was reluctant to accept Johnson's offer on the spot. However, as a young man, desperate to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional footballer and, crucially, without an advisor or any kind of representation, Jimmy eventually signed his two year professional deal with York City FC.
Jimmy recalls his experience of City's seasoned professionals at York's first day of pre-season training, where hard work was the order of the day. Trainer Walt Wilkinson took the squad to Clifton Ings for a 10K running session and, eager to please, young Jimmy led from the front. That is, until he received some "advice" from senior pros including Barry Swallow and Jimmy Seal along the lines of "Hey Scotty! Slow down! We all finish this together otherwise they'll make us do it again tomorrow". Jimmy was learning fast.
Jimmy's first appearance for the York City first team came in a pre-season Friendly against the Doonhamers (Scotland's Queen of the South) on 29th July 1972. The game resulted in a 3-1 win for York and, to Jimmy's surprise, his father and uncle made the trip down from Scotland to watch the game. It was one of only two occasions in senior football in which Jimmy played with his father watching. Jimmy's Football League debut came early in the new season in the goalless draw with Watford at Bootham Crescent. As well as making a total of four appearances for the first team, Jimmy was banging in the goals for the City Reserve side and he fondly remembers appearing for the Reserves at Arsenal's Highbury stadium and being put clean through by City's John Woodward before chipping the keeper from 30 yards. Crangle recalls an overnight hotel stay for the game which he believes was something to do with John Woodward's transfer (given it was a free transfer, he was released by Arsenal, that seems unlikely, I wonder if it was arranged to allow Arsenal a chance to scout City's young talent, 3 youth internationals and Crangle included - Ed). It is therefore not difficult to imagine the shock and disappointment that Jimmy felt when he was told that he was being released at the end of his contract, all the more so when he later discovered that eleven of City's 12 directors involved in making the decision had voted to keep him on.
Nevertheless, Jimmy has fond memories of his playing days with York City. The City squad was a tight knit group and Jimmy was a popular part of it. When the players had a short break around Christmas time, Graeme Crawford gave Jimmy a lift home to Glasgow and later picked him up for the return journey to York. Jimmy remembers going out for "social evenings" with Brian Pollard, Gordon Hunter and Mike de Placido to name but a few after City midweek home games and both Gordon and Mike lunched with Jimmy at his digs before heading back for the occasional afternoon training session.
Following Jimmy's departure from Bootham Crescent, he had a two-month trial with Charlton Athletic but they were hesitant to sign him due to concerns about his height and physique. Jimmy, by now seeing a local York girl who would eventually become his wife, pulled out of the possible move. Following Charlton, Jimmy had trials with both Chesterfield and Bradford City but they too had similar concerns and the trials didn't result in a contract. By 1975 Jimmy decided to make a return to the semi-professional ranks and signed for Selby Town where he felt immediately at home and began to enjoy his football once again.
After Selby, Jimmy joined local York side Osbaldwick FC for whom he played throughout the 1980's and where he would meet up with former York City players John Harrison and Andy Leaf. Osbaldwick were something of a powerhouse and enjoyed considerable success in the York & District League (ten successive titles no less!). Jimmy's career as a player was coming to an end although he did make a few appearances for Copmanthorpe (alongside Graeme Crawford once again) before hanging up his boots in 1991. Simultaneously Jimmy made the move into youth coaching with both Osbaldwick and Dunnington before he was approached by York City to work with their Centre of Excellence (under-14s) players. It was a strange time for Jimmy, working back at the club that he had left a generation earlier but the move enabled him to work on obtaining his coaching badges and Jimmy found youth coaching to be a very rewarding experience.
Like so many people who come and make their home in North Yorkshire, Jimmy has remained there to this day living in the west of York with his wife of 32 years, Carol. Jimmy retired in 2020 but still retains an active interest in football and is considering buying a season ticket for City's National League season at the LNER Community Stadium. If you see him, shake his hand and thank him for his service to York City and football in the area.
Thanks to Craig Brebner for this. Follow Craig's regular blog where you'll find much more, including video highlights of most of the games that he has attended as well as hundreds of other goodies. Go on! You know it makes sense! (Last updated on 18/09/2022).
Kyle Critchell Signed on loan in January 2009, he played only 11 games for City as one of the horde of Wrexham loanees that Martin Foyle brought to York in his first season. Before York, he had been a youth teammate of Gareth Bale’s at Southampton. He hit the national headlines in 2013 when he suffered from Sepsis, a life threatening condition that arises when the body's response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs leading to shock, multiple organ failure and potentially death. It claims over 37,000 lives in the United Kingdom every year. In July 2013, he suffered back pain and was bed ridden in extreme pain for 2 weeks before being rushed into Dorset County Hospital where he spent two weeks in a high dependency unit and a further five weeks before being allowed home. He said, "When I first got taken in the doctors and consultant believed I was dying. The doctors and consultants didn't think it was possible (to keep me alive). I was only breathing at 5% but her (fiancée Kate Adrian) decision was still to make me do my own breathing. She knows I am a fighter and it was a decision that saved my life. I am a fighter and the last thing I would want is for a machine to control me. Fortunately the decisions made on my behalf were very good ones and the doctors found antibiotics that fought the infection and saved my life." Now recovered, he has started his new job as a teacher in Hampshire. He has also not ruled out a return to football and admits it is love for the beautiful game that kept him alive. "I feel great, I'm back on my feet after four different operations to remove the infection and life is moving forward. It's about getting back to normality and to listening to my body. Without that competitive edge I would not be here. Do I come back? It is a question I can only answer in five or six months when I've been able to do some exercise. I love football, if you love something that much do you really want to lose it?", he added. Malcolm Crosby Followed Denis Smith to Sunderland and was eventually appointed their caretaker manager in 1991 after Smith's sacking. A 1992 run to the FA Cup Final saw him take the position on a permanent position. He was sacked 8 months later, following a pools panel defeat at Tranmere. Had spells at Oxford (manager), WBA, Derby, Middlesbrough, Northampton and Oxford (again). Worked under the likes of Steve McClaren and Jim Smith. Appointed Birmingham’s Chief Scout in July 2012 working under Lee Clark. Worked under Clark as chief scout at Birmingham City from July 2012. Briefly served as joint caretaker manager with Richard Beale after Clark was sacked in October 2014. He left the club following the appointment of new manager Gary Rowett. On 21 November 2014, he linked up with Clark at Blackpool as Head of Recruitment. Appointed manager of Gateshead (National League) on a one-year rolling contract on 5 June 2015 and was sacked by the new owners of the club in November 2015. Appointed Wigan Athletic Chief Scout in summer 2016, he left on 27 October 2016 following the sacking of Gary Caldwell and shortly afterwards, he was appointed as Senior Scout for Derby County. In December 2022, he was appointed Exeter's Chief Scout. (Last updated: 20/02/2024).
Richard Crossley See Chris Galvin. Early 90s reserve defender. Featured on TV documentary, Darren Tilley and Craig (son of Sam) Allardyce on their careers in Chinese football which is best remembered for Allardyce complaining about not liking China because he missed chips and The Sun. Nowadays a qualified accountant / lecturer in Huddersfield. Mike Czuczman Pronounced "Churchman". Decent defender, preferred live on the dole in Grimsby to travelling daily to York when offered a new contract in 1982 citing the cost of his daily commute. His son Marc is a qualified physio who was working at Walsall FC in 2023. (Last updated: 24/11/2023). Steve Davis Our 1997 Barnsley centre back loanee who broke his leg after 2 games. His son Joe was a 2018 loanee. Steve later had over 5 years as Crewe manager and was later Wolves’ Academy Manager, assuming the caretaker manager role in October 2022 when Bruno Lage was sacked. His first game (08/Oct/2022) in charge was away to Chelsea where he came up against another ex City player, Graham Potter (see below). PS Steve is the father of Joe, a 2018 City loanee. Jonjo Dickman Has enjoyed a long coaching in youth football in his native North East, he was appointed Sunderland’s joint Under 18 Lead Academy coach in October 2023, a club where 2 of his brothers are also coaches. Read More. (Last updated: 05/11/2023). Chris Doig After leaving City in 2013, his last playing club was Grimsby and in 2014 his playing role was extended to a player / assistant manager role under Paul Hurst. When Hurst moved to Shrewsbury in 2016, Doig was named as his assistant. The pair moved to Ipswich in May 2018 but were sacked 5 months later. The pair re-emerged at Scunthorpe in May 2019 and lasted 8 months. In December 2020, they returned to Grimsby, both Hurst and Doig were sacked in October 2023. The pair were once again re-united at Shrewsbury in Janauary 2024. (Last updated: 24/01/2024). Terry Dolan After City, he managed Guiseley and in the Caribbean. In January 2014, he was appointed Chief Scout at Notts County. As a player, he played on all 92 league grounds.
Iain Dunn In 1994, he scored the first golden goal in British football when playing for Huddersfield. In 1997, he was in Chesterfield's squad that reached the FA Cup semi final. In August 2004, he was voted Huddersfield Town's all-time cult hero by the club's supporters in a poll for the BBC's Football Focus programme. PS He had a spell working alongside Matt Hocking as Boston's management team in 2012.
Eamon Dunphy AKA Ann O’Robinson as presenter of the Irish version of "The Weakest Link". Got on everyone’s bad side, including Jack Charlton and Bono. Part time speech writer for The Irish premier. Decent author. Former City midfielder and first player to win a full cap (Eire) when playing for City.
Darren Edmondson Caretaker manager of Barrow in 2005, he left when Phil Wilson was appointed manager. he then spent a club record 7 years as Workington manager. He was appointed manager of non-league Barrow in December 2013 but was relieved of his duties in November 2015. After a brief spell as caretaker manager of Bradford PA, he had roles in the academies at Carlisle and Rochdale before being appointed Penrith manager in May 2022. (Last updated: 10/09/2024).
Chris Evans Ex full back whose subsequently had a long backroom career. Under Steve McClaren, he was Derby's Head Of Football Operations (2013-2015) and returned in October 2016 as Technical Director, leaving the club when McClaren was sacked on 12th March 2017.
Ben Everson He played in USA and Iceland before arriving at City. After City, he returned to Iceland and later played in Sweden. His has played for many clubs including in USA (El Paso Patriots, Bradenton Academics and West Texas United Sockers), in Iceland (Tindastóll, Breiðablik and BÍ/Bolungarvík) and for AFC United in Sweden. Derek Fazackerley After leaving City in 1989, he played briefly for Bury before becoming Player - Manager of Kumu in Finland. Back in England, he worked as a coach under Keegan, first at Newcastle and then with England. After England, he was a scout for Manchester City under Sven-Göran Eriksson. Later, first team coach under Lee Clark at Huddersfield before teaming up with Eriksson at Leicester in October 2010 for a year. In June 2012, he was appointed first-team coach at Birmingham under Clark. Sacked in February 2014. He was later assistant and caretaker manager at Oxford. Alan Fettis After his playing career ended he has enjoyed a long career as a goalkeeping coach, including spells at Derby, Cheltenham Town (a dual role as chief scout) and Sunderland before joining Manchester United in January 2011 as a keeper coach for their academy, younger age and briefly first teams. In July 2011, he appeared their reserve side when both their keepers fell ill before a game. In July 2022 he joined Middlesbrough as goalkeeping coach under Chris Wilder. (Last updated: 27/10/2022). Scott Fenwick In April 2018, he scored hat tricks of penalties in 2 successive games for Chelmsford. Later spells in the north, plus Forfar and Cork, followed before he joined Australian club Altona East Phoenix in Februay 2024 and he hit the headlines a month later when scoring 5 in their 6-2 cup win. After scoring 20 goals in Australia, in August 2024, he returned to England (Lincolnshire) and announced he was looking for a new club. (Last updated: 16/08/2024). Sam Fielding City youth player who made his debut under Jackie McNamara in 2016, left for Championship Barnsley at the end of the 2016/7 season, after 3 years he joined Salford and made his first team debut for them in November 2020 before returning to City in 2021. (Last updated: 01/10/2021). Luke Foster 2006 loanee centre back from Lincoln. He met Rebekah Nicholson (later Vardy) in 2007 and during a 6 year relationship, they had a son together. In March 2024, he was jailed for 3 years for running a cannabis factory. (Last updated: 23/04/2024). Marco Gabbiadini York hotelier.
Danny Galbraith Undertook a journalistic career, writing his footballing memoirs as a blog. Chris Galvin Cultured left midfielder joined on loan from Hull in 1976 with Gordon Staniforth. Featured in a mid 1990s TV documentary when as an agent, he took ex City players Darren Tilley and Richard Crossley to play in China’s top division along with Sam Allardyce’s son who bemoaned there were no chips and no Sun newspaper in China. Brother of Tony the Russian graduate Spurs winger. Noted working for Tourism Western Australia in 2022. In May 2023, brother Tony reported that Chris was living in Huddersfield having met him at Elland Road on the final day of the season when 2 of their former clubs played each other. (Last updated: 30/05/2023).
Martin Garratt Made his City debut, wide left of midfield on the opening day of the 1998/9 season. He soon became a fan’s favourite, a real box to box midfielder, his athletic skills, speed and mobility caught the eye. In the aftermath of the departures of Greening, Cresswell and Murty, he was soon touted as our next rising star. I remember talk of a million pound transfer. He made 33 league appearances, scoring 5 goals that season. He was equally adept at left back. At the end of the season, he went to Leeds for a training spell. Several Premier League scouts were keeping tabs on him. By now, rumours of his lifestyle abounded, and although starting in the first team the next season, he didn’t play for the first team after early October 1999. He was sacked later that season. Later, he played for Mansfield Town, St Patrick's Athletic (RoI), Lincoln City, Hednesford Town and North Ferriby United, staying nowhere very long. Living in his native Middlesbrough, his life spiralled into decline where he experienced drink fuelled difficulties. He was the subject of an ABSO in 2010. He was found dead in his flat on October 24, 2014. Truly, one that got away.
Michael Gash Post City, he had a journeyman career as a striker where he was a little more prolific than in his City days. He spent 2 seasons (2014-6) in Division 2 with Barnet. Probably he was at his most prolific with Kings Lynn, including the first covid hit season (2019/20) when they pipped City to the NLN title on points per game. He joined Peterborough Sports in 2021 and on 7th February 2023 he and Luke Steele (the ex Manchester United, Barnsley and Panathinaikos goalkeeper) were appointed their joint managers. (Last updated: 07/02/2023).
Liam George Re-surfaced in October 2013 on Talksport, when as Luton Town physio, he spoke about the effects of social smoking on professional footballers after Jack Wilshere was caught having a crafty fag.
Mark Goodlad Followed John Askey to Hartlepool and was also reported working to be at the Pro Player Football Academy. Left Hartlepool when Askey was sacked on December 30th 2023. (Last updated: 30/12/2023). Jason Goodliffe Long time associate of Graham Westley, after City, he played for various London area sides, including Harrow Borough and was assistant manager at Boreham Wood when they went into The National League in 2015. Re-signed soon time afterwards. In October 2016, he was a director at Aimita Corporation where Graham Westley, his former boss at Stevenage, is Managing Director . Aimita a technology adaptor, a skilled IT solutions integrator and software developer using Google, Oracle, and Microsoft technologies. Joined Sutton in June 2019 as assistant manager and was promoted to interim manager in December 2023. (Last updated: 30/12/2023).
Neil Grayson Local lad, Neil, was named as an all time cult hero by fans of both Northampton and Cheltenham in a Four Four Two magazine survey.
Paul Groves In July 2006, he joined the Portsmouth coaching staff under Harry Redknapp and later Avram Grant with a spell as joint caretaker manager (with Ian Woan) in between. In July 2010, he joined West Ham United as senior coach under Avram Grant. He became youth team manager at AFC Bournemouth in July 2011. In March 2012, he became joint-caretaker manager with Shaun Brooks. 2 months later, he was appointed as manager on a permanent basis. In October 2012, he was sacked as manager but 2 weeks later re-instated in his previous roles as youth team manager. He left Bournemouth in January 2014. Later roles as Crawley's first team coach and Bristol City's Academy Manager followed before in April 2017 he was appointed Birmingham City's first team coach under Redknapp. A month earlier, he had joined Northern Premier League side Mickleover Sports as Assistant Manager. After Redknapp was sacked, he remained in post under Redknapp's successor, Steve Cotterill, but the pair were sacked in March 2018. In July 2018, he was named as John Gregory's assistant for Indian Super League side Chennaiyin FC and in June 2019, he was appointed Assistant Manager at Maccabi Haifa, remaining in the position until he accepted the Manager's role at Gloucester in December 2020. He was sacked in September 2021. Later, he returned to Mickleover as a first team coach and in August 2022, he joined Indian Super League club NorthEast United as Assistant Manager. By April 2023, he was Assistant Manager at Buxton. (Last updated: 16/04/2023). Paul Harsley Ex loanee, in February 2018, he had a spell as Barnsley's caretaker manager. In June 2018, he was appointed Manchester City's Elite Development Squad (i.e. Under 23) manager. He left in 2020 and joined Birmingham where he held various roles until leaving in August 2022 to join Danny Schofield's coaching team at Huddersfield. Within a month Schofield was sacked and Harsley was appointed co-caretaker manager. He left in November 2022. (Last updated: 04/01/2023). Sean Haslegrave Coached England Colleges. Died 2019. Alan Hay In the day, his player profile listed the likes of Ziggys, Stringfellows and The Pink Lady as his previous clubs, far better than Bolton and Bristol City. After leaving City in 1986, he had a season with Tranmere and time in Scottish non league football before re-joining City in December 1988, playing one game before quickly moving onto Sunderland where he played another one game and then a few games with Torquay before finally bowing out of the Football League in 1991. Tommy Heron In 2018, reported living in Essex and in good health.
Ron Hillyard Prone to errors in City’s goal, Graeme Crawford’s arrival put an end to his City career. Went onto make a record 563 appearances for Gillingham. Later managed them and subsequently a keeper coach with Gillingham and Ebbsfleet. Had a testimonial against Sittingbourne, probably no other player who has made over 650 league appearances can make such a claim.
Craig Hinchcliffe Returning to Scotland after City, he had spells as a goalkeeper coach with Motherwell, Dundee United and in June 2023, he took up a similar role with St Johnstone. (Last updated: 11/09/2023).
Matt Hocking After City, he played for Boston, Stevenage, Southport and Gateshead before being appointed Boston manager in 2012 alongside a certain Iain Dunn. He left the role in February 2014. After 2 years as an academy coach at Peterborough he moved to California in 2017 as Boys Director of Coaching at SoCal Surf Soccer and in November 2022 he set up the Murrieta Soccer Academy. (Last updated: 04/01/2023).
Chris Hogg Retired in 2013 after a serious knee injury after making 165 appearances in The Scottish Premier League for Hibs and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. He started his career in City’s youth system, indeed he captained England’s Under 15 side whilst with City. As a 16 year old, he made a £150,000 transfer to Ipswich where he progressed through the England age sides up to the Under 19s but failed to make the grade at Portman Road. A spell at Boston followed before making the move to Scotland and a successful career. Maybe lacking a little in height for a centre back, he was a solid, sturdy defender who could more than hold his own in the air. He returned to the Ipswich area towards the end of his career and started his coaching career with Ipswich. In February 2020, he joined Newcastle as an Under 23 coach. In 2021, he was appointed Milton Keynes' assistant manager under Liam Manning. Both were sacked in December 2022, but when Manning was appointed Oxford manager in March 2023, Hoggg followed as assistant coach. Manning was poached by Bristol City in November 2023, Hogg once again went with him as his assistant. Their friendship dates back to their Ipswich youth days over 20 years ago. He is the son in law of George Burley. Read More. (Last updated: 09/05/2023). Ian Holmes For many years a taxi driver in Sheffield. (Last updated: 20/09/2022). Keith Houchen Despite scoring City's winner against Arsenal in 1985, his City career was ultimately disappointing. 14 months after the Arsenal win, he joined Scunthorpe and 15 months later, he was back in the headlines with a flying header in Coventry’s 3-2 FA Cup Final win over Spurs. Spells at Hibs, Port Vale and Hartlepool followed where his time finished as manager in 1996. Spells in coaching and as a Press Association reporter followed being a later career in property management. In 2006, his biography A Tenner and a Box of Kippers was published. In 2007, he appeared as one of the players selected for the new Wembley “Walk of Fame' prior to the venue's first FA Cup final in May. In2022, his Wembley flying header was commemorated in a series of 6 stamps issued by the Post Office. (Last updated: 11/09/2023). Russ Howarth In early 2021 he was working in Afghanistan for the Halo Trust which is helping to clear landmines. Back in York, in early 2022, playing for Wiggington Over 35s, as a trained para medic, he provided early assistance to opposing striker, Jon James (Huntington) following a clash of heads. He identified a possible fractured skull and provided appropriate treatment until the ambulance service arrived. (Last updated: 22/03/2021). Bobby Hoy By the early 80s he was a Country & Western singer on the Yorkshire Club circuit. Obituary. (Last updated: 03/01/2024). Gordon Hunter Too small to be a professional footballer, especially a defender, but that didn't stop Wilf McGuinness playing him at centre half in the original Division 2. Disappeared from the game after leaving City in 1978, just as he did during the game when at City. Joey Hutchinson Severed his spinal cord injuries and confined to a wheelchair, requiring round the clock care, after a swimming pool incident. He was found floating in a pool at the O Beach Ibiza in San Antonio in June 2016, after falling or diving in and hitting his head. 200205 (TOOAB 35): In January 2020, at a High Court, Mrs Justice Andrews concluded that the case, an £8.5m claim for damages, could proceed in the English courts. He has launched legal action against club operator Ice Mountain Ibiza SL which lists Gary Lineker's nephew Duane Lineker among its directors. Mr Hutchinson is also seeking damages from the firm's Spanish insurers. (Last updated: 17/04/2021 (TOOAB)). Kingsley James See Pro Player Football Academy. (Last updated: 01/07/2023). Paul Johnson City's left back, signed by Booby Saxton, John Askey's best friend in football. Luke Jones After his City scholarship finished in 2021, he signed a one year professional contract with City. His last appearance on the LNER pitch was the play off final win against Boston, celebrating with the rest of the City squad, although like the others who did not play, he was ordered by the manager not be photographed with the trophy. All 5 first year pros were released via social media a few days later. Joining Northallerton, he had a decent start to the 2022/3 season before the team's form dipped and he was dropped. With a rift between first and reserve team managers, he struggled for game time. He moved onto Knaresborough that autumn. During the 23/24 season, he was back in York playing for Huntington Rovers where he was sent off for a tackle that was "too tough for this level of football" according to the referee. His appearance / bonus money at Northallerton was broadly equivalent to his scholarship wages with City but tailed into insignificance alongside the money he was earning as an Asda delivery driver. (Last updated: 19/12/2023). Scott Jordan Outshone Paul Scholes and Nick Butt in our 0-5 defeat at Old Trafford in The FA Youth Cup Quarter Final, and again when we beat United in the 1995 Football League Cup. Who knows what might have happened if he'd had ginger hair. Son Oli was a City youth player. Frederick Robert Kay One of 4 Great Ouseburn born brothers to play for City. He made just 2 Midland League appearances. Later, he married Scottish hockey international Constance Vale and was posted to Nigeria administration and political office where he distinguished himself in the 1949 Nigerian uprising when he organised forces to quell the rioting mob. For this, he was awarded the OBE. He died in 1951. (Last updated: 10/10/2023). Roy Kay Signed from Celtic at the time when Scottish exports adorned English football. Full back Captain under Charlie Wright, equally adept (and bad) in either full back role, although I recall him scoring twice in one match, Don't ask me how. Darren Kelly After 2 seasons with City, Kelly’s playing career wound down. Appointed Oldham manager in May 2015, he was sacked after just 9 games in charge. 3 weeks later, he was appointed FC Halifax manager, losing his first game by 7-1, he was sacked within 2 months. Appointed Hyde manager in March 2016, he was sacked after 24 days only to be re-appointed a month later. He stayed in post until 2019, the highlight being Hyde’s appearance live on BBC in a 2017 FA Cup game. Later he was appointed as manager of Scarborough Athletic whilst continuing his “day job” as manager of Tadcaster Albion's i2i academy team. He resigned as Scarborough manager in May 2021 and was appointed Sporting Director at Newport County 3 weeks later. In October 2022, he was appointed caretaker manager when James Rowberry was sacked. He left the Sporting Director role on 23rd February 2023, reportedly for a job "closer to home" and was appointed Hartlepool's Sporting Director 5 days later. On 31st July 2023 it was announced he was leaving the role with family reasons being cited. A few weeks later, he joined City as General Manager. (Last updated: 11/01/2024). Alex Kempster On leaving City, he joined upwardly mobile South Shields but left in 2023. In early 2024 he was living in Perth (Western Australia) and working as an actor / model. (Last updated: 11/01/2024). Graham Kilby Former City Under 14 in the era of Joe Shaw / Tom Johnston. He'd train on the pitch twice a week, occasionally, he'd see one of his colleagues disappear down the tunnel with the manager, never to be seen again. Eventually, he was to suffer the same fate, only it wasn’t the grisly fate that he feared. It was the end of his City footballing career, released at 14. Later, a stalwart of the Youth City Youth Development Fund (until cut adrift again by City) and York City Supporters Trust.
Phil Kitching Who? Pat Lally Imagine a subbuteo footballer, arms spread permy hair and slightly bow legged. If he'd been born a generation earlier, I'd swear that the Subbuteo player was modelled on him. That’s Pat Lally. Signed from Millwall in 1971, he went straight into the team that had won promotion from the bottom flight. He proved to be a marauding, powerful running midfielder with a distinctive style of running (arms flapping) and venomous shot from the number 4 shirt. With John Stone behind him and Brian Pollard in front, the right flank was well taken care off. He was an important member of our team that survived on goal difference for 2 seasons, before being sold to Swansea. After 2 seasons with City (1971-3), his playing career lasted a further 10 seasons, enjoying a decent lower division career, later with Doncaster and Burton before retiring. Subsequently, he worked as an education officer for the Professional Footballers' Association, and he now works as the regional League Football education officer in the north. Graeme Law In 2015, lecturing at York St John University and in 2016 received nationwide publicity for his PhD paper on footballers, money, contract negotiations and gambling. Josh Law Joined Basford United after leaving City and he was head of their academy by January 2021. Seem to recall he later moved to a coaching role at a FL club (details tbc). (Last updated: 16/01/2021). Alex Lawless After City, he played for 6 seasons at Luton before winding down his playing career with Yeovil, Leyton Orient and Ebbsfleet. In 2023, he was noted as an Under 18 academy coach with Luton as they gained Premier League status. (Last updated: 31/07/2023). Andy Leaf Late 70s junior whose name was the answer to a question on BBC’s "A Question Of Sport", in the one minute round, the team had to name 3 parts of a tree. David Loggie Cost £20,000 (big money and a club record signing in those days) from Burnley in 1978. He was supposed to provide the goals as we rebuilt after the McGuinness years. In 2 seasons he hit the net just 11 times. It seemed his post City career would amount to nothing, never to be heard of again. Half right, he was never heard of again in England, but played throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s in Holland and Belgium, scoring 115 goals in 276 appearances, playing for some of the biggest names in Sparta Rotterdam, AZ Alkamer and Lierse. "Carthorse who couldn’t run, striker, rarely scored", Alastair Smith (2002). Peter Lorimer Legendary Scottish midfielder who after leaving City went into to break Leeds United's all time goal scoring record. Barry Lyons York hotelier. Formed one of City's most fearsome ever midfields alongside Emmanuelle Panther and Christian Fox. Ryan Mallon Prolific attacking midfield player in Football Manager 2006, taking over the role that Steve Bushell had originally made his own in Championship Manager 2. after City, is was downhill all the way. Much better in CM2 than real life.
Daniel McBreen In April 2013, he was named the winner of the Joe Marston Medal, the award given to the player of the match in the Australian A-League Grand Final. He followed in the footsteps of Dwight Yorke who'd won the award in 2006. McBreen spent 2013-5 playing in Chain before the 2016 spending spree started. Co-commentator for TNT Sports (Australia) in October 2023. (Last updated: 31/10/2023). Steve McClaren City Boys star. Whatever happened to him? Even as a boy, believed to frequent the terraces at Elland Road more than those at Bootham Crescent. Check back for details of his imminent appearance as guest speaker at a YCS meeting.
John McCombe Kingsley James' best friend. The ex City centre half later did some coaching with Harrogate and Lincoln. See Pro Player Football Academy. (Last updated: 01/07/2023). Ian McDonald After leaving City in 1982, enjoyed 10 years as player and later manager at Aldershot. Later returned to his native north west and was Workington manager (December 2013 to April 2014). (Last updated: 05/11/2019). Shaquille McDonald In October 2023, he was jailed for 32 months for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and non-fatal strangulation on his girlfriend in March 2023 following a domestic attack which resulted in her jumping 14 foot over a balcony to escape. See Leap from balcony to escape footballer boyfriend after he threatened to 'put her to sleep'. (Last updated: 22/10/2023). Gabby McGill After 2 seasons with Middlesbrough, McGill joined Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Athletic (a certain Jackie McNamara was at the club at the time) in May 2019 on a 2 year contract after they agreed development compensation with Middlesbrough where in his second season he scored 16 goals in 19 games, including four goals against Manchester United and he also scored against Manchester City. City got no sell on benefit from the transfer. His fourth appearance for The Pars was as sub for the last 35 minutes in a Scottish League Cup game at Celtic Park in August 2019, all this after scoring 5 goals in a pre season friendly. He made his first Dunfermline start on 7th September 2019 against Alloa in a 2-1 home defeat in the Scottish (League) Challenge Cup, then known as the Tunnock's Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup. On 1st February 2020, he scored his first senior goal in Dunfermline's 3-2 away league win at Queen Of The South. He joined Airdrie in summer 2021 and scored his first senior hat trick in Airdrie's 6-1 win over Kelty Hearts on 11th March 2023. He was named (Scottish League) cinch League 1 Player of the Month for March 2023 after scoring seven times for the Diamonds during that month (hat trick v Kelty Hearts and braces against Peterhead (7-0) and Clyde (5-1) to help Airdrie climb to third in the table. His 18 goals in the 2022/3 season helped Airdrie win promotion to the Scottish Championship via the play offs. (Last updated: 23/05/2023). David McGurk He retired from professional football in 2014 due to injury although he continued to play part time at Hyde United where he part time and worked as assistant manager to Darren Kelly. In 2019 he was promoted to manager and had John McCombe as his assistant with Darren Kelly becoming sporting director. He resigned in August 2022. He was unsuccessful when trying to launch a betting app. See Pro Player Football Academy. (Last updated: 01/07/2023).
Kevin McMahon Newcastle reserve striker and powerful header (some said more powerful than his feet). His best move for City was the one that took him to Barnsley in exchange for Jimmy Seal. Alongside Barry Swallow, he did some part time male modelling work. Andy McMillan After his City playing career ended, his professional career ended at Ayr United. He had an active coaching career in youth / academy football with spells at York, Hull, Lincoln, Barnet and Notts County. McMillan returned to former club York after being appointed Academy manager in May 2014 but left in July 2016 when he was asked to re-apply for his position. Later, he had a spell as Grimsby’s Academy Manager. Branching out, he was a founder of Bio Decontamination Ltd, a firm specialising in deep cleansing which received considerable publicity for the work they did covering covid. However, on January 15th 2024, The Yorkshire Post reported the company had pleaded guilty to a number of charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act at York Magistrates Court. (Last updated: 15/01/2024). Eric McMordie Supposedly skilful left sided midfield player signed by Wilf McGuinness when coming towards the end of his career with Middlesbrough. Chief (probably only) claim to fame was that he originally accompanied George Best (RIP) to Old Trafford when they were both just 14. With Derek Downing formed a City left wing partnership which wasn't a patch on the Phil Burrows / Ian Butler left wing partnership that had got us promoted to Division 2. Shaun Miller In October 2017, Miller became the first player to be charged and found guilty of a simulated dive under new FA rules and served a two match ban for “successful deception of a match official" after an alleged "clear act of simulation" against Wycombe whilst playing for Carlisle. Bobby Mimms Between 2001 and 2008, he worked as goalkeeping coach at Wolverhampton Wanderers and between August 2008 and December 2012, fulfilled the same role at Blackburn. In July 2013, he joined Oldham where he stayed for about 6 months before he left to work as Bahrain's new goalkeeping coach. In October 2014, he was appointed as goalkeeping coach at West Ham United. After WHU, he had short spells at Blackpool and Bolton. In November 2016, joined Hull and left in January 2017. After leaving Hull, he joined Jamshedpur (Indian Super League) as a goalkeeper coach in September 2017. In June 2018, he joined ATK (Indian Super League) and left in April 2019. In June 2019, he was appointed as the goalkeeper coach of Bangladesh. He became goalkeeping coach of SC East Bengal, but left his role in September 2021. In early 2022, he started working with Philippine FF and in October 2022, he started a new position as national goalkeeping coach with the Fiji Football Association. In May 2023, he was managing Fiji at the Under 20 World Cup. (Last updated: 23/05/2023). Alan Murray Appointed Benfica caretaker manager in May 1999 after Graeme Souness was sacked, a man he'd worked with previously. Graeme Murty Woody tells a good story about him from our Dublin tour of 95 when he first came to attention in the bar after the friendly in Dublin against St Patrick's Athletic in 1995 as news of Jon McCarthy's departure was breaking. Fans, lamenting the lose of our right winger and a dearth of replacements at the club, a little high pitched voice piped up, "what about me?", on turning around and looking down, it was 17 year old Murty, almost in tears. Alan Little took pity on him and the rest is history. More recently, he ignored repeated requests from our branch to be a guest at one of our meetings. First former City player to go on to be a regular captain in The Premiership. On 11th February 2007, he became the first ex City player to be a Match Of The Day (2) pundit appearing alongside Lee Dixon and presenter Adrian Chiles. He coached youth sides at Norwich and moved to Glasgow Rangers in a similar capacity in 2016. He had 2 spells as their caretaker manager and 4 months as permanent manager in early 2018. He left the club in 2021. In October 2022,he started a new role as Lead PDP Coach at Sunderland AFC. His daughter is an England Under 17 rounders international. (Last updated: 26/11/2023). Lee Nogan Managed Whitby Town before moving to FC Halifax as Neil Aspin's assistant manager. Followed Aspin to Gateshead and then Port Vale in October 2017 and later coaching at i2i. (Last updated: 12/01/2024).
Mike Norris The former City intermediates and England Under 17 keeper didn’t make the professional ranks as a player. Emigrating to Vancouver (Canada) in 2006, he has since enjoyed a long career in women’s football including 5 years as keeper coach to various Canada women’s national age group sides up to Under 23 level. In 2019, he was appointed keeper coach to the Canadian women’s national side. In 2021, he moved south across the border to become assistant coach at Portland Thorns and was promoted to be their head coach in January 2023. His first season ended with a 1-0 extra time defeat in the NWSL semi final play off against NJ/NY Gotham. (Last updated: 06/11/2023). Richard O'Donnell Keeper who had a work experience loan spell with City in 2007 when at Sheffield Wednesday. He didn’t play for City, but had a long career and appeared on ITV as substitute keeper for Blackpool in their FA Cup replay with Nottingham Forest in January 2024. Not to be confused with another Richard O'Donnell who had a playing career at Barnsley and Scunthorpe before a long coaching career, often working with Michael Appleton who he joined at Charlton in September 2023 when their announcement noted he’d been a former coach with City, if true, probably an academy phase (age group) coach. (Last updated: 24/01/2024). Richard Offiong On January 22th 2024, he appeared on Talksport as a spokesman for Show Racism The Red Card. At the time, his Linkedin profile listed him an Education Officer for that organisation as well as a number of ther posts. (Last updated: 22/01/2024). Alan Ogden The only one of Tom Johnston's free transfer signings from Sheffield United not to make an impact at York. First former professional footballer to have a successful heart transplant operation. Jordan Outerbridge Pre covid academy player who later made his name in Bermuda. Read More. (Last updated: 06/03/2024). Shaun Pejic In 2022, based in Vancouver (Canada),he was working as a "Live Gameplay Producer" at Electronic Arts on FIFA 22. See Pejic at EA. (Last updated: 30/05/2022). Nigel Pepper Originator of the Claude Makelele role, sitting in front of his defence, stopping opposing attacks and launching our own. The prototype role had Pepper scoring which is something Makelele doesn't do. Ended his Football League career on a stretcher with a broken leg, it got worse, as he was carried off, he got the red card for something he said to the ref. Nick Peverell Our 11th man at Old Trafford in 1995. The one whose name is always forgotten. Came from nowhere and disappeared back there pretty quickly. Tom Platt See Pro Player Football Academy. (Last updated: 01/07/2023). Noel Peyton Republic of Ireland international (6 caps) and former Revie irregular, he joined City in 1963. A skilful and industrious inside forward, he lost his starting place after suffering a bad knee injury. Joined Barnstaple as player manager in 1965. Returned to York, where 40 years he is now a regular at Bootham Crescent. One of a short line of ex Leeds players, step on down, Bobby Sibbald, Albert Johanneson and Ron Hillyard, who graced City in the 1960s. Later, he was treasurer of the Leeds United Ex-Players Association and still keeps in contact with some of his old pals from his playing days. Probably, including those with whom he spent many a close season painting the houses in New Earswick for the Rowntrees Trust. He tells of paint, brushes and ladders regularly going "missing" when coming back from toilet breaks and having to hunt down the gear in all the gardens, oh happy days. Or the time coming back from lunch and racing each other from Wigginton to New Earswick so as to be first back and bag a good parking spot by going the wrong way around roundabouts!! Remember it well, 1960s, hardly a car on the road when 2 come flying past the primary school and nearly knocked me off my tricycle. Brian Pollard Outstanding schoolboy half back at rugby union where he wasn’t interested to play football (Archbishop Holgate Grammar School). He saw the light, changed sports and won England youth honours, one of 3 City players, Cliff Calvert and Mike de Placido were the others, who played in the same England side. He went onto play for Watford in their meteoric rise to fame. Most famous teammate in that schoolboy rugby side was Josh "Arthur Bottom"Easby. Graham Potter City’s left back between 2000 and 2003 has guided Sweden’s Ostersunds FK to 2 successive promotions. In 2013, they finished a respectable 10th in Sweden’s second tier, the Superettan League. Later they won promotion to the top flight and in 2017 competed in the UEFA Europa League Cup reaching the last 32 before going out to Arsenal despite winning the second leg at the Emirates. In 2018, he joined Swansea, the rest is history. Potter's teams tend to play 3 at the back and win much acclaim for their stylish possession football. At Ostersunds, team bonding included getting the players to perform an amateur dramatics production for the local population.
Michael Procter After the playing career of the highly rated former City loanee wound down, he was involved in local radio work in the north east and Sunderland's "Wise Men Say" podcast alongside coaching at a local college. Later, he became a coach at Sunderland's academy before being confirmed as a first team coach in July 2022 under Alex Neil, a role he'd previously done on an interim basis as Sunderland gained promotion to the Championship. He retained the role under both Tony Mowbray, Michael Beale and interim Head Coach Michael Dodds. (Last updated: 24/02/2024). Mark Prudhoe Noted as Academy Manager at Sunderland. (Last updated: 21/06/2024). Ben Purkiss Left City for the victors after our 2010 play off final defeat against Oxford. He never quite made it there, but via a spell back in non league football, he ended up at Walsall and Division 1 in August 2012. Elected PFA Chairman on 29/11/2017. In November 2018, he became embroiled in a dispute with Gordon Taylor re the running of the PFA which ended in Taylor losing his position as head of the PFA. Danny Racchi Midfielder signed in September 2010 and in February 2014 was playing for Valur in Iceland’s premier (make that top) league. Valur, the team City beat in a 1973 friendly. My stat of the day at the time was that beating Valur made us world champions. Valur provided most of the Icelandic national team that drew with East Germany in a World Cup qualifier, the same East Germany who beat West Germany at the 1974 World Cup finals, the same West Germany who won the competition. QED, City are world champions. Adrian Randall Alan Little chased him for about 9 months before signing him for a club record £140,000. Little struggled to find the best position for the cultured (and educated) midfield player before shipping him out to Bury within 5 months for £120,000. Kevin Randall Prolific lower league striker who played for City between 1977 and 1981 towards the end of his career. Played with Neil Warnock at Chesterfield and then at City. After managing City, he teamed up with Warnock, being his chief scout at various clubs, including Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, QPR and Leeds. Stayed at Leeds when Warnock was sacked. In the season of Warnock’s sacking, the Leeds dugout also included the ex City pair of Neil Redfearn and Andy Leaning who was the Leeds goalkeeping coach. Martin Reagan Reagan made one City league appearance in aftermath of WW2. He went onto enjoy a 10 year playing career including spells at Middlesbrough and Hull and a couple of decent money transfers. He was head coach of the England women's national football team from 1979 until 1990, and was in charge for 96 matches during his 11-year tenure. He took England to the final of the 1984 European Competition for Women's Football, where they lost a two-legged final to Sweden in a penalty shoot out at Kenilworth Road. His side won the Mundalito (aka the little World Cup) twice in 1985 and 1988. He was sacked by the WFA in 1990 after a 6–1 UEFA Women's Euro 1991 quarter final aggregate defeat by Germany cost England a place at the inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup. Subsequently, he spent 14 years coaching as director of coaching at the Two Rivers Soccer Camp in California. Read Hope Powell's tribute. Neil Redfearn After City, he was appointed coach of the Leeds United under-18 academy team, working his way through the reserves to First Team Coach. He has had 2 spells as Leeds caretaker manager, following the sackings of Simon Grayson (2012) and Neil Warnock (2013). Later on the coaching staff, he was eventually appointed manager. Sacked and sacked again at Rotherham, he turned to managing women's teams (his partner is Lucy Ward, ex Leeds and now a commentator) and had short spells with Doncaster Belles and in 2018 was appointed Liverpool Women’s manager. In 2006, he found time to write, “There’s Only One Neil Redfearn". Not the first ex City player to write a book. Later (March 2019), he was back in men's football as Newcastle's Under 23 manager before becoming Sheffield United Women's head coach in 2020. He resigned in November 2022. On September 22nd 2023, Oldham's caretaker manager, Steve Thompson appointed him to his coaching staff but the pair left the club on October 12 when the appointment of a new manager was believed to be imminent. On November 14, 2023 Bradford City twewted, "Bradford City appoint Neil Redfearn as their new lead professional development phase coach. The former Leeds United and Rotherham boss, who had a spell playing for City, will take charge of the under-19s side". Before City: On January 10, 1989, when playing for Watford. he scored direct from a free kick with his team’s first touch of the game after Newcastle’s keeper Dave Beasant had been penalised for handball when kicking from “from his area” hand just after kick off. It is believed to be the only ever instance of a team scoring from their first kick of the game. (Last updated: 10/01/2024). Jimmy Reid Hard man teenage midfielder signed from Glasgow in the early 1970s. Never made the grade (or a debut) with City but eventually found his level with New Earswick. Long career in North Yorkshire football, especially Rowntrees and later Pickering Town. Started the trend for naming offspring after their place of conception when his son, Arran (later a City junior keeper) was born. Shaun Reid Brother of Peter, our captain from the late 1980s, he did the usual rounds of lower league and non league club. He resigned as manager of Prescot Cables in 2012 and was Warrington Town manager when they were in the FA Cup Round 1 draw in October 2014. Mark Robinson After the left back left City in 2009, he played for a number of non league sides, mainly in the north east and had a spell as Whitby's player - coach ending in 2017. On January 8, 2024, he was sacked as coach at Redcar Athletic. (Last updated: 08/01/2024). Paul Robinson (keeper) Former England international keeper. City released him as a 16 year old with the words, "Son, you'll never make a keeper", ringing in his ears when Andy Warrington was blocking his path (yes, really). Later played Premier League football for Leeds, Spurs, Blackburn and Burnley. Paul Robinson (younger) Plain Paul (not Paul Derrick) Robinson was appointed part of Ashington FC's interim management team on 6th September 2024 after a long career in north east football. (Last updated: 10/09/2024). Alex Rodman After 5 seasons with Bristol Rovers, he announced his retirement from football at the end of the 2022/3 season following a long battle with injury and illness. Future plans included a golf career and in February 2024, via TikTok, he announced he was working as a financial advisor. Read More. (Last updated: 20/02/2024). Shaun Rooney Rooney's header was the only goal in the game as St Johnstone beat Livingstone 1-0 in The Scottish Cup Final (28th February 2021), it broke Celtic's 5 year stranglehold on domestic Scottish trophies. On 22th May 2021, his headed goal saw St Johnstone beat Hibs 1-0 in The Scottish FA Cup Final. He joined Fleetwood in May 2022. (Last updated: 23/05/2021). Tommy Ross Decent late 60s striker for City. Took almost 40 years to score the fastest ever hat trick in British senior football. A 90 second hat trick he had scored in 1964 for Ross (yes, Tommy played for Ross) County in Scotland was only verified by The Guinness Book Of Records as the fastest ever almost 40 years after the event when documentary evidence of the timings came to light. He scored 23 goals in 67 appearances for the Minstermen between 1967 and 1969. In his first season, he finished second top goalscorer on 14 behind
Ted MacDougall. He also found time to be MacDougall's best man. Read More. (Last updated: 16/12/2023). David Rush Sacked by City was towards the end of his professional playing career. He returned to his native North East and had 4 months as Hebburn manager in 2009, mainly during the summer close season. He turned up as Assistant Manager at Gateshead under a friend and was still in post when Gary Mills joined Gateshead in September 2013. Rush left very shortly afterwards. Simon Rusk After several seasons at Brighton as Head Coach at U23 and U18 level, he was appointed Stockport manager on 27th January 2021, they parted company exactly 9 months later. A spell as Dundee's assistant manager followed before he was appointed a national coach with England men's teams' on 13th May 2022 where he was confirmed as England's Under 19 manager on 16th August 2022. August 2023 saw him re-confirmed in post for the 2023/4 which should end with England defending their Euro Under 19 title. Read More. On 13th December 2023 he joined Nottingham Forest as a set piece coach under Steve Cooper and survived the cull when Nuno Espirito Santo replaced Cooper a few days later. Read More. On 3rd July 2024, it was announced "Rusk leaves England U19s to become Southampton U21s boss", there was no reference to any Forest role. (Last updated: 08/07/2024). Simon Russell Disappointing 2 seasons with City and gradually working his way down the pyramid, his playing career ended with Tadcaster Albion (usually the home of a number of ex City players) in 2022. Since September 2021, he has been teaching PE in South Bank, York. (Last updated: 01/11/2022). Ricky Sbragia Former City Youth Team Manager, a role he later held at Sunderland and Manchester United (on 2 occasions as well as Under 23 manager). At Sunderland, he joined the coaching staff, was appointed caretaker manager when Roy Keane resigned in December 2008 and was soon promoted to manager on an 18 month contract. After ensuring Premier League survival at the end of his first season, he resigned. Between 2011 and 2017, he managed various Scotland age sides (U17 / U19 / U21) before being relieved of his duties in 2016. In 2017, he returned to Manchester United for 2 more years. Still lives in York. Alongside Michael Sinclair, the only person from the club to purchase a full set of New Frontiers in the 1990s. Mark Sertori "We hit rock bottom and then started digging" - Josh, not sure if that’s before or after he joined City. I think we hit rock bottom if we thought he and fellow Halifax teammate Kevin Hulme could improve us. He was a bruiser centre back / defensive midfield enforcer (to put it politely). The only lasting impression he left at City was probably on the shins of the opposition. Amazingly, he made the England bench at the 2010 World Cup, albeit as a physio sitting alongside Sven, the Italian speaker having joined England's staff under Fabio Capello in 2007. His role with the England FA continued and he was part of the Euro 2016 England back room staff before leaving the role in September 2017. Formerly with Newcastle, later as a physio with Manchester City where his last job title was Sports Therapist, but that only told part of what he contributed, he was a friend and confidante of players and key to the culture, "Mark is more than a work colleague, he is now also a close friend and has always been there for me", said John Stones. On June 21st 2023, he was reunited with Vincent Kompany as Burnley's Head of Performance and Player Care. He left that role when appointed AS Roma's Director of Performance in Sepember 2024.
See Linkedin profile. (Last updated: 09/09/2024). Adie Shaw Followed Terry Dolan to the Caribbean where he had a spell as manager of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines national side in 2004. Adam Smith Given a suspended sentence (4th January 2017) for credit card frauds at Primark involving over £22,000. Kevan Smith Signed on a free from Coventry in 1988, the big centre half said he'd fulfilled his footballing ambition by joining City. It didn't work out and he was off back to Darlington, his first club, a year later. In August 1994, he joined Sliema Wanderers (Malta) and played for them in The European Cup Winners Cup. Shaun Smith "He was slow, uninspired and no control", Ray Goodearl, a man of many words when just "No good" would have done. Seve Spooner A long coaching career, initially in non league football, he joined Birmingham in 2010. He has had a over decade with them, including a spell as caretaker manager in 2020 as the club struggled through a financial crisis. In 2018, as Under 18 coach, his charges included David Stockdale, ostracised from the first team squad. On Jauary 2, 2024, he was appointed Birmingham's interim manager following the sacking of Wayne Rooney. (Last updated: 02/01/2024). Darryn Stamp Completed a PhD and become a programme leader in sport, exercise and coaching science at University Campus North Lincolnshire (Scunthorpe). See Stamp's big interview. (Last updated: 11/11/2020). Gordon Staniforth I recall one of his last games (first spell) at Wigan, then newly elected to The Football League, 1-0 down at half time, 2 locals with flat caps and no teeth took great pride and joy in their performance and how bad we were. We escaped with our lives as they threatened to attack us with their black puddings. Swapping ends, we enjoyed an excellent 2nd half as we raced into a 5-1 lead, with Peter Lorimer pulling the strings, Gordon ran riot to bag a hat trick. At the time, City's record sale, he had a decent higher league career before returning to City. His daughter Lucy played football for England. Paul Stephenson A spell as Hartlepool caretaker manager was followed by a role on Norwich’s coaching staff. Later teamed up with fellow Geordie, Lee Clark at Huddersfield and then Birmingham. Appointed Northern Ireland Under-21 Assistant Manager on June 14, 2014. (Last updated: 14/06/2024). John Stone Top scorer from Middlesbrough Intermediates. Starred as a defender as we entered Division 2. Crooked by Barry Swallow in a game against Sunderland and never the same afterwards. And you thought Swallow did no wrong until 2003. Mike Stowell Ex loanee keeper, Leicester's goalkeeping coach during their successful 2015/6 season. The role dated back to 2007 and when Brendan Rodgers was sacked in April 2023, Adam Sadler was appointed caretaker manager with Stowell as part of his management team, the 6th time he'd fulfilled that role at Leicester. He left Leicester in June 2023 follwowing the arrival of Enzo Maresca as Head Coach. (Last updated: 02/07/2023).
Anthony Straker He retired in 2021 and thanks to the PFA, he got his HGV license and is now driving “lorries and all sorts”. (Last updated: 29/10/2022). Luke Summerfield After leaving relegated City in 2016, he had 2 more seasons in the Football League with Grimsby before playing for Macclesfield (loan), Wrexham and FC Halifax. The 2023/4 season was his 4th season with them. He appeared against City on a number of occasions. He made the national news headlines on September 9th 2023 when he was sent off at Southend for hitting the referee, from footage, it appeared accidental after the referee backed into him and Summerfield made an instinctive swipe of his hand in self defence. FC Halifax successfully appealed his 3 game ban for violent conduct. (Last updated: 13/09/2023). Gary Swann 1993 Wembley play off hero. Turned down a contract extension with City to try his luck in Hong Kong and lost touch with his ex City teammates. Playing career wound up in local league football in Sussex. Hobbies. Just one, watching his video of the 1993 Play Off Final. Endlessly. After City he had a playing spell in Hong Kong . By October 2022, he had been tracked down to Bracknell. Paul Taylor Loanee, who after playing 5 games at the start of our 1973/4 promotion season, he had a nomadic playing career. Coaching wise, he worked with Keith Peacock for many years. In 1994, he was appointed Director Of Football at Walsall, including a spell, alongside John Ward, as part of their caretaker managerial team before the appointment of Sean O'Driscoll in 2015. Incidentally, at the time, Walsall's Head Of Youth was Neil Woods, the ex City striker. Neil Thompson Had 2 spells as caretaker boss at Sheffield Wednesday being appointed in December 2020 and October 2023. He also had spells as manager at Scarborough and Boston. As well as Wednesday, he was on the Leeds backroom staff. (Last updated: 10/10/2023). Reece Thompson See Naughty Boys. Darren Tilley See Chris Galvin and Richard Crossley. Also played, settled and managed in Canada. Featured in a double page spread in "The Weekly News" as a true love story with his Canadian born bride. Neil Tolson After his professional playing career was ended through injury, he spent a lot of team working in non league football in the North West. In 2018, he moved to USA and FC Wisconsin. He was noted as a club director in 2022 (City programme v Southend 29/10/2022) with responsibility for their 13 - 19 age groups. Mark Tinkler In 2016/7, he was a youth team coach at Middlesbrough. Peter Turpin A former City youth / reserve player, he had a big hand in designing City's unique 1974 shirt.
Colin Walker City triallist in 1976. A nomadic playing career took in New Zealand twice. Appointed City coach in 2005, manager in 2007 and sacked in 2008. Subsequently managed Forest Green Rovers before joining Doncaster’s Centre Of Excellence where he teamed up with Paul Stancliffe. Justin Walker Believed to be unique in playing for clubs that were relegated from The Football League in 3 successive seasons (Exeter (2003), City (2004) and Cambridge (2005)). Later he had a long career as an academy coach at Derby. He led Derby’s Under-18s to the Under-18 Premier League title in the 2018/19 season which resulted in the club appearing in the illustrious UEFA Youth League in 2019/20. He was appointed as part of Wayne Rooney's caretaker management team at Derby on 14th November 2020. In November 2022, he joined Hull City as the Assistant Head Coach to new manager Liam Rosenior, whom he'd worked with at Derby. He left Hull when Rosenior was sacked in May 20924. (Last updated: 07/05/2024).
Stuart Walker Long career as physio, mainly Aston Villa and also Derby, Sunderland and Shrewsbury. Prior to football, RL physio for Leeds (including Wembley for the 1985 Challenge Cup Final) and Castleford. physio. Eagle eyed readers may recall him making 2 appearances in goal for us in our Division 2 days in the mid 1970s, others may best recall him for the horrendous howlers he made in those 2 games.
John Ward See Paul Taylor.
Andy Warrinton Making his City debut against Manchester United in 1995, he failed to establish himself as a long term first choice keeper making 61 appearances in 5 seasons. He joined Doncaster in 1999 and later had a long spell with Rotherham topping 500 career appearances. In 2015, he joined Grimsby as goalkeeping coach where, due to injuries, he added one more appearance to his name at 39. That season, Grimsby regained their Football League status. There were spells as keeper coach at Lincoln and Rotherham before he followed Paul Warne to Derby in 2022 as first team keeper coach. (Last updated: 11/06/2023).
Byron Webster Like David Stockdale, Webster lost his way after a promising start with City. Via Scotland and Czechoslovakia he ended up in The Championship, first with Doncaster and later with Yeovil (sharing in their Wembley play off success in May 2013) and Millwall. In 2022, he twice played for Bromley against City.
Alan Whitehead Centre half signed from Brentford for £45,000 by Denis Smith who as a former centre half should have known better. Nicknamed "Concorde", you only had to see his nose to know he didn't get the nickname for his speed. Later a teacher in Huntington.
Ben Wilkinson In 2013, he was a Youth Development Phase coach at Sheffield Wednesday. In July 2018 he joined Manchester City, initially as the Elite Development Squad (Under 23) assistant coach and in August 2020 as Under 16 Lead Coach. In June 2024, as Manchester City's Under 18 Head Coach, he graduated from the FA's latest Pro Licence course. In July 2024, he stepped up from Manchester City U18s to take charge of their Elite Development (U21) Squad when Brian Barry-Murphy resigned. (Last updated: 17/07/2024).
Darren Williams Talented young midfielder who fell out of favour with Alan Little after splitting up with Little's teenage daughter.
Phil Wilson 1987-9 City midfielder. Later Workington manager where Darren Edmondson was his assistant.
Tony Woodcock Ex England and Nottingham Forest striker who almost joined City.
Curtis Woodhouse Another junior we sold, this time to Sheffield United. Subsequently joined Birmingham in a million pound deal. Reportedly, we netted a total of about £75,000 (including a sell on clause). Ultimately his professional football career was a disappointment. He retired and became a professional boxer. In February 2014, he won the British Light Welterweight title, reportedly winning a 50-1 £5,000 bet he had placed on himself to become a British champion. Outside sport, he had a conviction for assaulting a police officer and a run in with a twitter troll. In May 2012, Woodhouse was announced as manager of Sheffield. He resigned in December 2012 stating it was difficult to combine with being a professional boxer. On 14 October 2013, he became assistant manager at Goole, with former team mate David Holdsworth as manager. In January 2014 Woodhouse replaced Holdsworth as manager. Woodhouse left Goole after some issues with the board, took over at Hull United in January 2015. On 29 September 2016 Woodhouse was appointed as manager at Bridlington Town. Later spells as manager at Tadcaster Albion and Gainsborough Trinity followed before being appointed Marske manager in November 2022, a role he left in February 2023 by "mutual consent". Awarded BEM (British Empire Medal) in the 2021 New Year's Honours' List for services to football and boxing. (Last updated: 24/03/2023).
Neil Woods See Paul Taylor.
John Woodward Ex Arsenal player and possibly the Paddy Atkinson of his era (you decide if that means versatile or useless). Highlight of his Gunners career was probably the time he got flung over a car by Lazio players after a European tie in Rome, the golden era when the teams used to fraternise over a beer and a bonnet after kicking lumps out of each other. Spent 6 seasons with City, earning a place in City's Worst Ever XI before moving onto Bay Horse United. In his player profile in the City programme, he named his wife and dogs as family when everyone else named their wife and children. For many years a prison officer in West Yorkshire. (Last updated: 20/10/2022).
Lev Yalcin Left City in 2006. Subsequently seems to have played for nearly every team in the North East, including Whitby Town, Scarborough, Billingham Synthonia, Stokesley Sports Club FC and in 2013/4 Northern League Spennymoor. Has played more as a striker in recent years with considerable success.
i2i The i2i International Soccer Academy, formerly aligned to Tadcaster Albion and based in Nether Poppleton, York, it is now based at the York St John's sport complex on Haxby Road. It boasts a large staff, including (as at November 2022) ex City players Jon Greening, Michael Ingham, Lee Nogan and Neil Sanderson plus former City YCFC academy coaches Chris Holloway and Danial Parker. i2I - Read More. (Last updated: 22/10/2022).
Pro Player Football Academy Based in Wakefield (with branches in Rotherham and Gateshead), it was formed in July 2014 by best friends Kingsley James and John McCombe along with Dave McGurk. In 2023, Ryan Fallowfield, Dave Merris, Tom Platt and Mark Goodlad were also coaching there. Visit their website. (Last updated: 01/07/2023).
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Check out the clubs of many ex City players still playing (approximately columns BZ and CA).