Sid Storey
Sid Storey was born in Darfield, South Yorkshire, on Christmas Day, 1919. Sid cost only £100 when he was signed for City from Wombwell in May 1947.
He had the unmistakable physique of a miner; stocky and very strong for his size. Maybe his lack of inches prevented him from playing at a higher level.
Playing at inside left, he was the creative spark of our 1954/5 side. He won high praise when completely dominating the legendary Danny Blanchflower in the win over Spurs. He was regarded as one of the best ball players in the Northern Division, his talent and skills set him apart. Highly rated, he had the ability to hold up the ball would lay on countless chances for others.
After netting vital goals in the FA Cup victories at Blackpool and Bishop Auckland, Sid missed the semi-final against Newcastle at Hillsborough with a back injury which City drew 1-1. He did play in the replay when City lost 2-1 at Roker Park, but his injury caused him to miss the last 10 league games of that campaign which harmed the club’s promotion hopes, some thought cost City promotion.
Sid was surprisingly given a free transfer in 1956 and finally retired in 1960, at the age of 40, following spells at Barnsley, Accrington Stanley and Bradford Park Avenue. He then returned to York and spent three years as a trainer-coach at Bootham Crescent.
Sid played 354 times for City between 1947 and 1956, scoring 42 goals. He was granted a benefit game in 1955.
Sid was a coal miner throughout his playing days. In his later later years, living in Haxby, he was a driver / van salesman and for a time was a bus driver for York's West Yorkshire Road Car Company and came out of retirement to drive the open top bus which celebrated City’s 1984 Division 4 championship winning side.
Gordon Brown, who played half-back and inside-forward for City between 1950 and 1958, said Sid would be sadly missed. "He was one of the old-time footballers," he said. "He was a good ball player and different to Arthur Bottom, who was big and powerful. Sid was a positional player and just a great footballer. The Happy Wanderers were a great time in my life and Sid will be sadly missed."
On his death, in April 2010, City conveyed their sympathy to Sid’s family and marked his passing with a minute’s applause prior to the Blue Square Premier clash with AFC Wimbledon at Bootham Crescent. Sid would have appreciated the football that night. City’s smooth passing game, allied to supreme team work saw us cruise to a win 5-0.
Rob McGill, York City’s business development director, said: "I watched Sid play during my early days of supporting York City. He was an outstanding member of the team and an extremely skilful ball player. Sid was really exciting to watch and was much loved by the supporters. He was an old-fashioned, gentleman player and always a credit to the club. He will be missed, but I am certainly thankful of the memories he gave me. On behalf of York City, I send my condolences to Sid’s family and friends at this sad time."
Former football league referee, and long time City fan, Graham Bradbury, said: "I never saw Sid play, but I did get to know him quite closely when I did the 50th anniversary of the Happy Wanderers in 2005. He was a great bloke and a fantastic man. He was obviously very light on his feet and he was quite a keen ballroom dancer. He was our oldest surviving player and up until recently he had been in reasonable health. He will be sorely missed."