Today I'm going back 44 years to 1977 and York's Christmas time League game against Brentford in the Fourth Division.
This game was my first ever York City game attended and only my fourth live football match ever. I recall it was the son of our next door neighbours that kindly took me, a 14 year old kid, to that game. I'm sure that he wouldn't have imagined what he was starting and that I'd still be going to watch the Minstermen all these years later. To date I've racked up 466 York games which averages at little more than 10 matches per season but isn't bad considering that I haven't lived within 120 miles of York for almost 40 years and have spent a lot of time overseas during that time. My respect goes to those hardy souls who have enjoyed and endured hundreds more City games than I have. There's more than a few with over a thousand City games under their belts. Mad dedication but hugely admirable as far as I'm concerned.
Anyway this was where it all began for me. My first venture outside of the First Division and I instantly loved the smaller more intimate feel of the lower level. The club's fans always seemed to me to be having more fun than did those of Leeds (my other local club). Nobody would follow York for the glory but the camaraderie with fellow devotees was hugely enjoyable and I was quickly hooked. Of course it helped that York won the game that day, not an experience that has been anything like the norm I have known down the years. The fact that City won the game with a late Kevin Randall winner definitely helped seize my affections. It was a great game!
All these years later it seems amazing to have witnessed the divergence in the fortunes of the two clubs that were on show that day. City now find themselves in the sixth tier of English football whereas Brentford are feasting at the top table in the Premier League and they seem to be making a real go of being competitive there. In practice Brentford are punching above their weight and have only just attained the top level for the first time in over 60 years. Brentford's natural level is probably down in the third tier but a sustained period of time in the Premier League for them could be a game-changer and establish them as one of the bigger clubs in English football. York, on the other hand, are punching below their weight. In my view, York's natural level is somewhere between the bottom half of the fourth tier and the top few in the National League. It's entirely possible to advance an argument that York too could make it to the Premier League one day. For example club's like Burnley come from a town with a smaller population than York's. AFC Bournemouth too have reached the top flight in recent years. So it's not impossible, it's just highly unlikely without a huge injection of cash and, probably most importantly, the selection of the right manager to begin the journey. Where is York's Eddie Howe I wonder?
Back in season 1977/78 York ended the season having to apply for re-election after finishing 22nd (out of 24), an experience that I was to witness several times along with relegations down the years. And despite the result in the featured game that day, Brentford finished fourth in the League and were promoted that season. Both were a sign of things to come?
CRB Match No. 4
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