7.45pm 25 January 2022
National League, North
York City 0 Bradford (Park Avenue) 3 (att 2,759)
A lot has happened to York City since I watched then lose at home to Fulham in division three in March 1988. Most notably they've dropped down to the sixth tier of English football.
They've moved to a new ground as well of course, the reason for me to return on a freezing cold Tuesday night.
Bootham Crescent was among my favourite venues when I first visited the 92 Football League grounds. The LNER Community Stadium has its good points, but like all new builds it suffers by comparison with a characterful predecessor.
It's a decent size, with four all-seater stands, and the pitch looked immaculate. But you have to look hard for signs that it's home to York City FC, and from the outside the stadium is almost hidden behind a retail park.
High ticket prices and expensive parking might deter irregular visitors, but the crowd for the visit of Bradford (Park Avenue) was a little higher than the number who watched the Fulham game 34 years ago.
It wasn't a good night for the York City faithful though. Hopes of a promotion play-off are now all but gone after a tepid display against lowly Bradford. York had most of the possession, but rarely threatened to score and were easily undone on the break.
Two first half goals put Park Avenue in control. A goal back for York might have set up a more exciting second half, but instead they surrendered meekly, letting in a late third.
The vocal home fans' barracking of those in control of the club suggested that, despite the new home, all is not well. Hopefully it'll be a short-term blip, as a club like York City really ought to be back in the Football League.
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