By anyone’s standards it was a great start.
But for long-suffering York City fans, it was more like a miracle. After years watching their team fall further and further down the leagues, City enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season, winning six and drawing two of their eight games, scoring 17 goals into the bargain.
No one came out of the traps as fast as City in the National League North this season, and it saw them top the table.
No wonder, then, that City boss Steve Watson has been named the Manager of the Month for the league in August today (Friday, 6 September).
It’s not his first such accolade since joining City from Gateshead. He promptly won the same award for his first full month in charge, back in February.
Squad have done brilliantly
In a typically modest response to being Manager of the Month, Steve focused on his team, saying:
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I think if you speak to any manager they will tell you the same thing – we do a certain amount of work on the training ground but ultimately the players go out and put the plan in action.
They’ve done that brilliantly so far this season and me and Micky will accept this award on behalf of everybody at York.
Writing about the award on the National League website, Oliver Osborn said City watched on enviously as Stockport County were promoted out of the same league last season.
“August seems to have offered hope that this year might be the one which sees the Minstermen back on the right road again,” he writes.
“Steve Watson made a number of shrewd summer signings and they made an instant impression.
“A tricky opening day game at Altrincham was easily negotiated. Then they won against Brackley Town, Blyth Spartans, Leamington, Spennymoor Town and Gloucester City.
“It was an undefeated month, even if they may have hoped for more than a point against Farsley Celtic and Gateshead.
“Watson now has his feet under the table and York City may not have to look on enviously for much longer if they build on their great start.”