York City began the 2025/26 season as among the teams most widely tipped to win promotion at the end of the campaign. This is in part a result of their strong performance last year, where they were a near-constant fixture in the top three, and ended up placed second, before being overturned by Oldham Athletic in the play-off semi-final.  A few weeks, and a change of manager later, and this forecast still seems valid.

The Minstermen have been busy recruiting over the summer, adding experience and depth across the pitch. Notable permanent signings include defenders Ashley Palmer (from Chesterfield) and Mark Kitching (from Oldham Athletic), as well as left-back Ben Brookes (from Maidstone United). In midfield, Ollie Banks (also Chesterfield) and Hiram Boeteng (from Mansfield Town) bolster the centre, while attacking midfielders Alex Newby (from Altrincham) and Greg Olley (from Gateshead) add creativity going forward. Up front, forward Joe Grey joins from Hartlepool United.

York have also made much use of the loan market, bringing in goalkeeper Rory Watson (Scunthorpe United), right-back Jeff King (Boreham Wood), left-back Cameron John (Hartlepool United), left winger Billy Chadwick (Scunthorpe United), and centre-back Tyler Cordner (AFC Totton).

The Ministermen made a relatively slow start to the season; while they were unbeaten in August, their only league win was over league newcomers Truro City, with draws against Sutton Utd, Southend Utd and Woking. After a managerial change, the goals really started appearing in September, with a 3-1 victory over Yeovil Town being followed by a 4-0 thrashing of Tamworth – with those seven goals in total (including one penalty) coming from six different players. York then came from being 2-0 behind to Braintree Town to beat them 3-2, but experienced a shocker by losing to Solihull Moors. This was followed by a clinical 5-0 demolition of promotion rivals Carlisle Utd. The team have a couple of matches in hand, owing to the unavailabilty of their ground while it was involved in hosting the Women’s Rugby World Cup. Even with those games in hand, York currently sit fifth in the League Table, and it’s rather plausible that they will end up somewhere near the top of table for a second consecutive season. This looks like Rovers’ first really big challenge of the season.

The Minstermen last visited Nailsworth in November 2024. Just like this time, it was a 5.30pm kick-off for DAZN. And it was real top-of-the-table clash – perhaps Rovers’ finest performance in the entire season. It ended up 2-0, with goals from Harvey Bunker and Kyle McAllister helping Rovers to replace York at the top of the table in the National League.

McAllister getting ready to hit the back of the net, last time round.

York City were founded in 1922 and spent seven years in non-league football before joining the Football League in 1929. For much of the next 75 years, the club bounced between the third and fourth tiers, with a brief but memorable spell in the second tier during the 1970s. Relegation to the fifth tier came in 2004, followed by a turbulent period of ups and downs.

They fought their way back into the EFL in 2012, only to fall again in 2016, and then dropped further into the National League North in 2017, where they remained for five seasons. Their return to the National League came in 2022, coinciding with a move from the characterful but crumbling Bootham Crescent to the LNER Community Stadium—a modern, Championship-standard ground on the city’s outskirts.

Nicknamed the Minstermen, in honour of York Minster, the club is 25% fan-owned via its Supporters’ Trust, while a controlling 51% stake is held by Canadian billionaires Matt and Julie-Anne Uggla, who serve as Co-Chairs. The Ugglas had previously attempted to purchase Yeovil Town, but that deal collapsed before they turned their focus to York.

York City co-Chair, Matt Uggla.

There were some expressions of surprise when York City parted ways with Adam Hinshelwood as manager in late August. After all, by any measure his first full season at York had been a success in most regards – leading the team to a second place finish, and doing a great deal to seal the club’s image as one that was likely to return to the EFL before too long. And if the team’s start to the new 2025/26 season had not been astounding (with two draws accompanied by a win over newly promoted Truro City), York remained unbeaten when Hinshelwood departed. But there are always unseen reasons for managerial changes, all the more so when they come after a successful season.

The new gaffer is Stuart Maynard, most recently manager at Notts County, and before that at Wealdstone. At Notts, he’d guided the team into the League Two play-offs. As a player, he’d spent 12 years as a midfielder in an assortment of non-league clubs, with his most numerous appearances om the pitch being at Aylesbury Utd, Hitchin Town, and Enfield.

Upon his appointment at York, Maynard described the style of football he wanted his team to play as follows:

“Our main philosophy is that we play with the intensity that we want to.

That we’re aggressive at the top end of the pitch, we win the ball back as quick as we can because we want to dominate the ball, so it’s very key in the changeover that our counter press is very aggressive and we go and get the ball back.”

Parking is available in the adjacent school car park, just a short walk from the stadium. Spaces cost £15 per car and must be booked in advance by calling 0333 123 1889 (weekdays 9am–3pm, excluding Wednesdays) or by emailing reception@fgr.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can use the Park and Ride service from Renishaw (Bath Road, Nailsworth, Stroud, GL5 5EY). It opens at 12:30pm on matchdays and costs £5 per car (card only).

If parking on surrounding streets, please be considerate of local residents.

The Green Man bar and Fan Zone will be open pre-match for food, drink, and live music, with bands performing before each game. Both will also be open at half-time, while the Green Man stays open after the final whistle, showing live Sky Sports games. This season, the Gym Bar also returns for East Stand ticket-holders.

The New Lawn is a cashless stadium — card and contactless payments only.

Hospitality details and offers:

The FGR Shop will be open in the Fan Zone, East Stand concourse, and the Carol Embrey Suite.

A free digital matchday programme will be available online before each home game. Keep an eye on the club’s social media channels for the download link ahead of kick-off.