Grimsby v York Preview

By: Alex Green
Date: 17/08/2010

THE Mariners got off to the best of possible starts with their first away win on the opening day of a season since 1990 and we all know how that ended.

The performance may not have ignited a wave of optimism but the result should. A win for the Mariners on the first day of the season is a rarity and one we should all cherish it’s more common than a season not ending in a relegation fight. The idea of starting a season well is a foreign concept among many Mariners fans but Woods has achieved a very good win against one of the favourites for promotion - a similar result against a much fancied York side would really be a decent start to the campaign.

Their History

The club was formed briefly in 1908 and played out a number of seasons in the Midlands League before been 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 Minstermen 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. Regardless of the success in the league none of it would have been possible without the much-wanted Richard Brodie who’s 30 goals propelled York to last season’s accomplishments.

This Season

Martin Foyle will be delighted to have kept hold of Richard Brodie for the time being the leading goal scorer of last year had been approached by many including ourselves Scunny and several other league clubs and of course Crawley the Man City of the Conference. Not only that but they have managed to snare Jonathan Smith of Forest Green, George Purcell from Braintree former Mariner Greg Young and the ever manly Peter Till from Walsall. Martin Foyle may though be disappointed about the capture of Till

"Peter gives us another option as he can hug the touchline and get crosses in for our strikers to feed on."

Obviously Foyle has never really seen Till play as his hugging the touch line looks a lot more like coming inside and playing a poor cross come shot to me. Nevertheless Foyle will want to finally gain promotion this time round but with defeat to Kidderminster in the first match due to a late penalty and a spat during the game things don't look all too rosy at Bootham Crescent.

"Substitute Michael Rankine and fellow striker Richard Brodie attempted to wrestle the ball off each other when City were awarded an 83rd-minute penalty in Saturday’s Bootham Crescent clash." York Press

Key Player - Richard Brodie

The aforementioned Richard Brodie is without a doubt York’s most influential player the striker has been nicknamed the Angel of The North for his abilities up front. The 23 year old from Newcastle was picked from Newcastle Benfield in 2007 and has become a fans favourite while his decision to so far stay at the club with several others offering better deals can only have made him more popular in York. With 30 goals last season and several in pre season including a 25-yard screamer against Scunthorpe it seems Brodie is going to be the favourite for leading goal scorer and to have anyone like that in your team is nothing short of lethal. Those in Town’s defence watch out.

Prediction

Town can only be brimming with confidence after their weekend win and with the squad knowing they played poorly they will look to impress what seems to be a large home crowd.

Grimsby 3-1 York

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