Local Sport Report

The handling of the pandemic by the National League is on the agenda this month for our resident sports writer and York City F.C. fan, Simon Pattinson.

COLUMNIST Simon Pattinson

Hello and welcome to a new column in 2021. Not only does it feel like it's been a while since I last spoke to you, but the same can also be said about seeing any sporting action. York City played their first-ever fixture against AFC Fylde at the LNER Community Stadium. A game result, that ended in defeat and a result that given the decision to null and void the season, now technically no longer exists. And quite frankly, I'm happy about that! It was never the way to see in a new era at the new stadium, not to mention fans not being able to be there. York City’s season has been so stop-start since it began back in October and unsurprisingly, the National League made a massive mess of the financial packages and now they have ended the season with nothing. The way the National League has dealt with these situations over the past year leaves me feeling less and less confident with the way they have gone about it all: putting many teams at risk for a variety of reasons. The time it has taken to make decisions has left fans and clubs feeling angry and unsupported. It's not the way it should be and I know it's been uncertain times, but these are the times where you need the people who make decisions to step up. They have failed to do so in my opinion. The mini-league idea, suggested by fellow National League North and South clubs who wished to fulfil their league season, being rejected is a fine example of that. Whether you agree with the idea or not, it felt like a bitter pill to swallow and a decision that could seem like a slap in the face to deliver any integrity to the league pyramid. Now it is time to put the season behind us and prepare for the new one and welcome crowds into the new stadium and with those steps in place to allow that to happen in the summer will be an incredible sight for City fans and football fans up and down the country being allowed in to see their teams once again. Questions are being asked about the team and manager Steve Watson as to whether they are good enough to get us out of this league, frankly, I say now is a time to back him and Steve Watson and judge this squad in a season where we are not so stop-start, perhaps a few stronger additions and one or two centre forwards who will score goals is what this side is crying out for if there was anything to take from this season it would certainly be that. The York City Knights also played at the LNER Stadium for the first time in March and what an exciting time it is to be a Knights fan. They were back in action in a friendly against Hull FC in a close encounter that ended in a 22-28 defeat. For their first game in nearly a year, it was an incredible game and an excellent performance. I think many will have seen so many signs to be positive, and with the side that James Ford has put together, there is a real possibility that Super League could truly be in their grasp this year when the season starts in a few weeks.

York City Football Club Foundation is offering kids over the age of 8 the opportunity to ‘Get Pitch Ready’ through a series of fun, fitness and ball mastery sessions. The new Get Pitch Ready sessions are open to all young people, not just those who have previously attended programmes. Throughout lockdown, The Foundation continued to engage with young people on a weekly basis and stay connected with them and their families. Zoom sessions were designed to focus on social interactions. An opportunity to meet both old and new friends, with twice weekly ‘Talk About It’ sessions for a chance to chat about a range of topics including recent sporting events and a weekly game show night with a unique spin on popular tv game shows both past and present for lots of interactive fun from Family Fortunes to Supermarket Sweep to Catchphrase. If you would like to find out more about how your child could get involved, email inclusion@yorkcityfcfoundation. co.uk.

New House Builds and Extensions Loft Conversions Refurbishment, Renovations & Alterations

We can do it all including full design and drawing service, planning and building regulations applications, through to completion.

CONTACT IAIN WILSON M: 07583 384 445 | T: 01347 811 749 iaingwilson@gmail.com www.iwdesignbuilding.co.uk

STOVES & LIVING

TRUSTED IN YORK FOR OVER 30 YEARS

OUR SHOWROOM’S ARE RE-OPENING ON 12TH APRIL

BEAT THE RUSH! Book an appointment.

Call 01904 400525 or Book Online www.focusfireplacesyork.co.uk

• Two stunning showrooms on one site • 80 working displays of Gas & Electric • Wood-burning & Gas Stoves live displays • Exciting range of lighting & interior style • Family firm employing local staff • Easy parking • Expert help and advise • No pressure sales • Full survey service quote prior to order • ALL installations by our own in-house

GAS SAFE and HETAS Registered fitters • Full aftercare service Gas & Solid fuel • SIA Eco Design Retail Member 2022 Ready

5 mins from A64 Monk’s Cross Roundabout (NEXT TO DEANS) The Bull Commercial Centre Stockton Lane, York Y032 9LE OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday: 10am - 4pm Monday & Friday: 10am - 5pm ONE ON ONE APPOINTMENTS Tues/Wed/Thurs: 4pm, 5pm or 6pm

HETAS

Approved retail member 1 ON 1

Appointments Available

187932