Fast forward to 2022 when Mike became aware of rumours that McGill wanted to sell his shares. A 3 month window was agreed but when he couldn’t conclude a deal, YCST stepped in. With the help of Glen Henderson, who’d previously approached McGill in 2018, a deal was done.

Whilst McGill helped to make it a relatively smooth transition, some of his fellow YCFC directors were more difficult to deal with as they’d envisaged being retained post McGill. Indeed, ”on a personal basis, (I) had no major gripe with McGill” and later thanked McGill for his help in seeing the sale concluded.

Henderson seemed ideally suited, a successful businessman with flourishing soccer school business in the USA, he appeared to be a very suitable candidate.

Everything appeared to be going smoothly, but around 2 months later, once Janee, Henderson’s American wife arrived after a visa issue was resolved, it soon became apparent that she was the decision maker.

Mike reflected, “everything seemed to fit, (but) in hindsight it was a bad decision”, it had been widely applauded by the fanbase. Financially, Henderson walked away relatively unscathed.

Lessons learned from the Henderson deal made it easier to negotiate the Uggla deal after around 25 expressions of interest were received. Effectively the Henderson era was a stepping stone from McGill to the Ugglas.

Mike repeated the story of John Askey wanting out but being financially unable to resign. With pressure growing to integrate Ethan Henderson, Askey (someone who much preferred dealing with experienced professionals) was sacked. Employment law (and possible tribunals) meant that City were unable to give full details of the sacking whilst Askey was able to go out to press.

Mike felt Glen and Janee Henderson were both obsessed with getting a professional contract for Ethan who Henderson was a good academy prospect. Glen Henderson wanted John Askey to integrate him, but Askey preferred not to work with young players. Henderson arranged a contract for Ethan, despite being warned by Mike that there was a conflict of interest, so when Henderson moved on, the contract was ripped up. Mike believes “as far as I was concerned, Ethan was never a York City player” whilst recognising Ethan was put in a difficult position between the parties. Mike also noted, “(the) academy (is a) problem, (the) pathway to first team is virtually non existent, Askey showed no interest in involving academy players with the first team squad”.

The recruitment of David Webb saw a rigorous process followed. Over 60 candidates were ranked by agreed criteria by each of the 4 board members and a top 6 drawn up. 5 were interviewed (one dropped out before interview), the board members agreed that interviews highlighted one candidate’s unsuitability and of the others, the board members all had differing views to their preferred candidate. Glen Henderson’s casting vote went David Webb’s way, someone who had met before the vacancy rose.

Come February 2023, with Glen Henderson seemingly no releasing money to pay the wage bill, Mike had a stressful time, working all night to secure funds, watching for the money to hit the YCFC bank account, it was a transfer from YCST, it was one of the low points of his involvement with the club, knowing the importance to the players, the club and the wide footballing world that the players were paid on time.