The 1987-88 season was one of the worst in York City's history with the club recording only eight wins and losing 29 of their 46 matches, accumulating a mere 33 points. Surprisingly, they did not finish bottom of the League as Doncaster Rovers had an identical record but a worse goal difference. The other two teams relegated wereGrimsby Town and Rotherham United, so a bad season for northern clubs. On March 26, 1988, York entertained high-flying Sunderland, managed by ex-YorkCity pair Denis Smith and Viv Busby, and York were lying bottom of the table withonly three home wins all season.A difficult game was expected. In the Sunderland side were ex-York players Marco Gabbiadini and John MacPhail.To the surprise of the season's biggest crowd of 9,183, especially the large contingent of Sunderland fans, York ran out 2-1 winners with goals from Ian Helliwell and Dale Banton with the latter finishing the season's top goalscorer with 16 League
goals despite playing only 32 matches. www.tooab.com
