York v Grimsby Preview

By: Alex Green
Date: 11/01/2011

STOP complaining, the Mariners are still unbeaten in England and that's what really matters until our foray in to The Champions League in 2023

The one game many of us were looking forward to. We dreamt of a Saturday in York preferably August or April so we can take our time and spend a day in the beautiful city. Then the reality hit now stuck on the arse end of a midweek game in the midst of a bloody freezing January where very little joy can be supped from the KitKat Crescent we shall gather huddle, cheer and enjoy a trip home which will take less than 2 hours.

Their History

The club was formed briefly in 1908 and played out a number of seasons in the Midlands League before being disbanded in the midst of World War One. It wasn't until 1922 that the York City we know came into being yet again rejoining the Midlands League for the 1922-23 season. It took 7 years for the Minstermen to be elected to the Football League proper joining the Third Division North. Between then and promotion to the Second Division in 1974, York reached the semi final of the FA Cup in 1954-55 losing to eventual winners Newcastle United and were relegated due to league reorganisation and also enjoyed their first ever promotion returning them to the Third Division in 1959. Since then York found themselves bobbing about lower league due to back-to-back relegations. In 2003 York finally succumbed to their financial constraints, which they had suffered since the departure of long term chairman Douglas Craig and were relegated to the Conference. Since then the club has come close on 2 occasions in trying to regain League status, last season they lost in the play-off final to Oxford while in 2006 York lost out to Morecambe in the semi-finals.

Last Season

As already mentioned York's season ended ultimately in disappointment. The Mintermen lost 3-1 to Oxford in the Play-Off final at Wembley after a season which included an impressive run in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy. Losing out to Stoke 3-1 in the 3rd round of the FA Cup at the Britannia Stadium and falling at the 4th round to Barrow in the FA Trophy was quite an achievement. Regardless of the success in the league none of it would have been possible without the much-heralded Richard Brodie whose 30 goals propelled York to last season's accomplishments.

This Season

Since our early season tango York have struggled to put together a decent run and currently lay 14th but do have a few games in hand ready to push them back towards ourselves and more importantly towards the play-off. Perusing the results you might guess that York's current league position could well be down to the fact that since mid-October York have played either an FA Cup or FA Trophy match every other game till Saturday's 2-0 defeat away at Bolton and now with the club at of both competitions the League can be focused on. But York have just lost 1 game since that run started a 2-1 defeat at Forest Green at the very end of October since then the club have gone from strength to strength. Rankine, Constantine and Barrett have been adding the goals up freely since Brodie's departure.

Key Player - Ashley Chambers

One of the many, many loan players to come and go at Blundell Park last season. Unlike most Chambers had something to him, when he finally and all too occasionally made an appearance he was quick dangerous and light-footed. His runs from midfield caused all sorts of problems but they were all too brief and his time on the sidelined was all too long. Since then he's joined the Minstermen on loan from Leicester and his time has been more fruitful. Chambers has found himself starting 5 games and staying upfront to partner either Rankine or Constantine and scoring 2 goals in the process. We have been warned.

Prediction

York 1-1 Grimsby Town

York are on a good run in the league, The Mariners have been unlucky of late coming up against teams in a purple patch but a point would be rather good in the closest thing we get to a local derby.

York

1 GK David Knight (on loan from Histon)
2 DF Duane Courtney
3 DF James Meredith
4 MF Jonathan Smith
5 DF David McGurk
6 DF Danny Parslow
7 FW Jamie Reed
8 MF Peter Till
11 MF Chris Carruthers
14 MF Neil Barrett
15 FW Michael Rankine
16 DF Jamal Fyfield
17 MF Levi Mackin
18 DF Greg Young
19 FW Ashley Chambers (on loan from Leicester City)
21 MF Robbie Weir (on loan from Sunderland)
22 MF David McDermott
23 MF Tom Richardson
24 GK Michael Ingham
25 FW Leon Constantine
26 FW Steve Torpey
27 MF Danny Racchi
28 MF Andre Boucaud
30 DF Chris Smith (captain)[89]

Grimsby

1 Kenny Arthur Goalkeeper
2 Peter Bore Midfielder
3 Lee Ridley Defender
4 Mark Hudson Midfielder
5 Darran Kempson Defender
6 Scott Garner Defender
8 Michael Cummins Midfielder
9 Charles Ademeno Striker
10 Lee Peacock Striker
11 Michael Coulson Striker
14 Michael Leary Midfielder
15 Dwayne Samuels Defender
16 Steven Watt Defender
17 Alan Connell Striker
19 Bradley Wood Midfielder
20 Josh Fuller Midfielder
21 Andi Thanoj
22 Mark Gray
22 Dean Sinclair Midfielder
23 Tom Corner Striker
24 Nathan Dixon Striker
25 Robert Atkinson Defender
29 Robert Eagle Midfielder
30 Steve Croudson Goalkeeper
40 Robert Peet Goalkeeper

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