It comes after City endured a poor start to the new season, culminating in a 3-1 defeat at Newport. In 12 league matches this season, the club has won only one, drawn seven and lost four.
He said it was “in the best interests of York City” that he go, and that his decision will give the players the time they need to finish in a good position in the league.
York City can confirm manager Nigel Worthington has this morning resigned. More details to follow.
— York City FC (@yorkcityfc) October 13, 2014
The board said it accepted his resignation “with great sadness” and described him as a gentleman who was a pleasure to work with.
York City currently languish 22nd in the 24-team League Two table, only off the relegation places on goal difference
Nigel’s ups and downs
Nigel Worthington, a former Northern Ireland footballer and boss of Norwich City was appointed manager of York City in March 2013.
Nigel took over from Gary Mills, who was sacked despite guiding City back into the league after eight years of non-league football.
Mills was ousted when City slipped down the League Two table and looked at risk of being relegated back to the Conference.
Worthington turned the club’s fortunes around. A victory away at Dagenham & Redbridge on the last day of the season secured City’s league status and they finished 17th.
After a slow start to the 2013-2014 season, the team put together a great run in the New Year which propelled them into the play-offs.
But another Wembley appearance was denied the Minstermen. After a 17-match unbeaten run they took on Fleetwood in the play-off semi final. A 1-0 defeat at Bootham Crescent was enough to take Fleetwood through.
Nigel Worthington picture by Mattythewhite on Wikimedia
Nigel Worthington’s statement
“After Saturday’s result and in the best interests of York City, I have made the difficult decision to leave the club with immediate effect.
“I feel the timing of my departure will give the players ample number of games to gain the points needed to ensure York City finishes in a good position in League Two by the end of the season.
“In recent weeks, performances have not been up to my high standards and I take full responsibility for this as manager.
“I would like to thank the Board and the McGill family for their tremendous support during my time at the club. We have had a great working relationship and they have given me all the assistance I have needed.
“The supporters and the players should be very grateful to them for their loyalty, commitment and hard work in trying to take this football club forward.
“I have enjoyed a wonderful time at York City over the past 18 months.
“The fans have been fantastic throughout and I have appreciated all their support. The experience would not have been the same without the friendship of all the staff at the club.
“In particular, I would like to thank my assistant, Steve Torpey, for his loyalty and dedication to me and York City Football Club.
“It has been an absolute pleasure and honour to have been manager of York City and I very much wish the club every success for the future.”
York City board statement
“It is with great sadness that Nigel Worthington has decided to leave the club.
“He has been a pleasure to work with and we could not have asked for a more professional and hard working manager.
“We will always be grateful to him for the huge contribution he made in maintaining our Football League status and for the great times we had reaching the play-offs last season.
“We respect the decision he has taken and understand it has been made in the best interests of York City Football Club.
“We thank Nigel for all he has achieved in making York City a better football club and the legacy he leaves.
“He has been a gentleman throughout his time at the club and will be missed by us all.
“We now must focus on the appointment of a new manager and ensuring we secure the services of the right person to take York City Football Club forward.”
Nigel Worthington has paid the price for some truly dreadful summer signings and a run of 17 matches, with just one win. He is a decent man, who has done the decent thing. Reading between the lines, the York City Board were sad to see Nigel go, but were ultimately relieved they didn’t have to make a difficult decision in a few weeks’ time. For there is no doubt that this awful team, devoid of talent, commitment and belief, would have sunk to the bottom of League Two.
It should be remembered, however, that Worthington stopped the rot that had set in at the end of the Gary Mills era and saved us from a swift return to the Conference. He then built a half-decent side last season, which – although not easy on the eye – got City into the play-offs. Whilst the departures of Mills and Martin Foyle were greeted with widespread relief, I feel the reaction of Worthington’s departure will be more nuanced and mixed. It certainly should be.
But statistics don’t lie and, my goodness, there has been some horrendous football played this season. Much of the blame of this must lie with the performances of the new signings, notably Mooney, Summerfield, Meikle and Straker. Whilst Meikle at least tries, but alas is no good, the others have been shambolic. The full backs are a little better, but not a patch on Oyebanjo and Davies, and the jury is out on Hyde, who seems permanently injured. Sadly, no manager can sign a pack of jokers like these and expect to survive. Quite why they have all played so badly, so often, is clearly a puzzle to NW, and to us, the supporters.
The fact that Worthington had to play Tom Platt (completely out of position) and Jarvis (one of the most inept players I have ever seen in City colours) ahead of Straker on the wing says it all.
Overall, it is sad to see NW go, and it is typical of the man that he departed with grace and honour. His players should feel ashamed of themselves. They have let him down badly.