York City play their first competitive home match of the season tonight (Tuesday, August 11), a Capital One Cup tie against Bradford City.
Then City take on Hartlepool United on Saturday (August 15), in their Bootham Crescent League Two opener. Here are a few good reasons why you might want to get along too…
1. Our new striker can do this
This is our new signing, striker Reece Thompson curling a ball into the Newcastle United net during July’s pre-season friendly. If he can do that to a Premier League defence, what can he do to the League Two teams?
2. A club record beckons
Goalie Michael Ingham is a firm fans’ favourite, and has signed on for another year with the Minstermen. As well as being a born entertainer, he could become a club legend this season – IngDog is only four clean sheets away from a club record.
3. It’s a community club
Just ask Sky Sports anchorman Jeff Stelling. He loves the idea that York City have renamed the away terrace the Prostate Cancer UK Stand this season.
It’s to highlight a disease that affects more than 40,000 men every year. Read more here.
“It’s a great idea,” Jeff said. “Anything that brings awareness of prostate cancer to men who may well be affected by it in years to come has to be great.”
He is a Hartlepool United fan, Bootham Crescent’s first league visitors, and added:
4. Rebranded bar ‘among the cheapest’
What was the Pitchside Bar has a new name for 2015/16 – the 1922 Bar.
Named after the year of City’s birth, the bar “will be much improved with a better food offering and an ability to hire the place for events, parties, family events etc,” club general manager John McGhee told YorkMix.
“All the beers and wines are all new for the season with some of the cheapest prices around for a football ground.”
5. City have a new star columnist
BBC Match Of The Day commentator Guy Mowbray is a major league fan of York City, and is also contributing to club programme The Citizen this season.
His regular Press Pass column is only one addition to a bigger and longer Citizen, which remains at £3.
6. You might see a famous face
Guy is not our only celebrity supporter. Other famous fans include fellow commentator Jon Champion, who grew up within earshot of Bootham Crescent, and comedian Richard Herring, who has volunteered to be a future club chairman.
Not only that, but Nineties telly funster Timmy Mallett called at Bootham Crescent on his bicycle last month.
7. Pie prices have been held
Half time pie at #ycfc. The food of champions! pic.twitter.com/fXilJUXNJI
— Sockymon Master (@sockymon) January 17, 2015
If you fancy some grub while at the ground, the prices are the same as for last season. A burger costs £3, a coffee £2, and the “meal deal” gets you any pie or pasty plus drink for £4.90.
Sadly the pies didn’t rate highly in 92.net’s league table, and we have also lost the Minstermen tortilla chips.
You can’t have everything.
8. We’re tipped for big things
Our new strikers Verdaine Oliver and Reece Thompson make us the “surprise package” of League Two this season, according to The Football Lab’s season preview.
Their expert predicts we will finish… third – saying:
If new strikers Reece Thompson and Vadaine Oliver hit the ground running, York have the core ingredients of a side that can win promotion.
(…although not by everybody)
Football mag Four Four Two are not so hopeful. They predict that we will only manage 17th place in the division, one above last season’s finish.
And their fan file sees City supporter of 25 years Olly Douglas pleading for one major change:
9. City fans are funny & friendly
Perhaps because of their stoicism after years of freezing their bottoms off at the Crescent, City supporters have a wry sense of humour.
No one can forget the chant when City were 3-0 up against Manchester United at Old Trafford 20 years ago: “Are you Scarborough in disguise?”
And when volunteer fans had cleared snow off the pitch to allow a winter game to go ahead, only to see City play particularly poorly, one wag shouted: “Let’s shovel it back on again…”
10. We’re due a Wembley visit
After getting to Wembley in 2009, 2010, and twice in the same week in 2012, we’ve not been down Wembley way for too long. If the Football Lab are right, that oversight should be corrected by the end of this campaign…
11. Things can only get better
This was City’s opening league game, away to Wycombe Wanderers. A couple of defensive gaffes gifted the home team two of their three goals and all the points.
But that was a mere blip. Yes, we are 92nd out of 92 league clubs after a single game. But from here you know, the only way is up.
How was it down at the bottom of the barrel?!