Local sport report

Resident sports writer and York City F. C. fan, Simon Pattinson, gives us the lowdown on sport in York this month.

COLUMNIST Simon Pattinson

As I write this last column I feel like the last one jinxed the great period City had over Christmas. What with the delays due to covid and games being called off, the momentum that had been built up has fallen short in these last couple of months. What John Askey continues to do is to find players that will improve this side into playoff contention again and when writing this only six points outside with two games in hand. I think most fans right now would take that. I know I definitely would, considering some of the disastrous performances that we have seen recently particularly the capitulation at home against Bradford Park Avenue. The 3-0 defeat has to be one of the lowest points since being in the National League North. We all know that this club should not be in the position we are but thanks to years of mismanagement we are and need to get out of this rut. I have spoken passionately many times in this column as to the bleak times we are currently in. You look at the way Kidderminster have presented themselves this season and you just think if they can do it on such a small budget then why can’t we get a squad together capable of challenging. Of course, I hugely believe that John Askey is that man and can only reiterate what I have said previously that I think he’s the best manager we have had for a long while with his experience, and hopefully, he will stay on for next season and take us in the right direction. In women’s football what a season the York City ladies have had. Unbeaten all season and they simply seem to be scoring goals for fun. It has been great to see one of our teams doing well this season and let's hope this sets the foundations for the ladies to take the next steps in the right direction and show the men's side how it's done! In other football-related news, the new series of York Hospital Ball is now available online. Former columnist Dan Tait and the team at York Hospital Radio have created yet another great series that deserves all the recognition it has received, and the new series, which features Keith Houchen and John Byrne, takes fans back to some of the good times we love to look back at very fondly. Please support them if you can. Since our last column, the rugby league season has restarted and York City Knights have had a steady start to the new Championship season. It is still early days to see how they will perform this year, but they certainly have everything in place to compete this season and hopefully, the support will continue to grow and we will see York City Knights in the super league at the end of the season. New ownership is also in place with Clint Goodchild taking the helm from Jon Flatman. Clint is a media businessman who knows his rugby. He certainly looks a great fit for the club to take them to the next level. I think we can all agree what a brilliant job Jon Flatman has done in stabilising the club, and he's leaving them in a stronger position than anyone could ever have imagined. We've watched him take them from the brink of extinction to Super League prospects. He will always be welcome at the LNER and it goes to show that there is a real interest in seeing York as a sporting City succeed.

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