Godfrey’s £ 2.5m lifeline for York

BEN GODFREY’S £ 25million move to Everton has thrown non- League York City a lifeline – and underlined the value of English football’s tributaries.

Minstermen chairman Jason McGill was so thrilled by the near-£ 2.5m windfall from Godfrey’s sell- on clause that he sent the England Under- 21 captain, right, a text and said: “The money will make a dramatic difference.”

The 10 per cent clause McGill negotiated in 2016, when York sold the defender to Norwich for £ 150,000, will insulate them against the ravages of Covid- 19.

It gave the National League North club fresh impetus as they kicked off their campaign against Chorley last night at Bootham Crescent – as they are still waiting to christen their new stadium at Monk’s Cross.

McGill said: “The money couldn’t have come at a better time.

“There has been a significant loss of income through the impact of Covid- 19.”