York duo extend deals to ‘finish job’

NON-LEAGUE: York City manager Steve Watson and his assistant Micky Cummins have signed contract extensions after a season which saw their side win more points than any Conference North team, but fail to win promotion.

Former Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday player Watson was on course for his first full campaign as a manager when the coronavirus pandemic brought a halt in March, with the Minstermen top of the table.

When it was decided to abandon the regular season and decide it on points-per-game, York slipped below King’s Lynn into second and a play-off they lost to Altrincham on Saturday.

But chairman Jason McGill has recognised the strides forward by a club which has been in the doldrums since dropping out of the Football League in 2016.

“I’m thrilled to be staying at York City FC, there is so much to be excited about at the club both on and off the pitch,” said Watson. “Now, Micky and I are determined to finish the job.”

York are due to move into a new stadium at Monks Cross once a safety certificate can be granted. To get that, the new venue will have to run a test event with 3,000 spectators, something not possible under the existing covid-19 restrictions. The sale of Bootham Cresent to Persimmon Homes is on hold until that happens.

Watson can now set to work adding to a squad which has Paddy McLaughlin and goalkeepers Pete Jameson, and Ryan Whitley as its only contracted players for 2020-21.

They are in talks with David Ferguson, Kieran Green, Reiss Harrison, Charlie Jebson-King, Alex Kempster, Josh King, Sean Newton and Harry Spratt about new deals.