The Archbishop of York City... (From York Press)

The Archbishop of York City...

9:14am Friday 11th January 2013 in News By Mark Stead, mark.stead@thepress.co.uk

NO, it’s not the biggest transfer shock of the season, but York City’s most famous fan will be fully kitted out when he next roars on the Minstermen.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has been presented with his own City No.9 shirt, complete with his name on the back, by his adopted club and their sponsors, Benenden Healthcare Society.

Dr Sentamu, who has been City’s patron since 2007 and prays for the success of the team before every match, was presented with the jersey at his Bishopthorpe Palace home by City chairman Jason McGill and Paul Keenan, the mutual health and wellbeing organisation Benenden’s head of communications.

He said he was “proud” to support the Bootham Crescent outfit.

The Archbishop said: “To see York back in the Football League is fantastic, and with the new community stadium around the corner, we’ve got a really exciting future ahead of us.

“I want to thank Benenden for giving me this City top with my name on the back, although I feel I may struggle to get a game this season!”

Mr Keenan said the shirt was a token of appreciation from Benenden to Dr Sentamu “for his ongoing support for the club and his active promotion of fairness and equality in York”.

“We know he is an active campaigner for businesses to take on more social responsibility so, as a mutual whose members are at the heart of all we work for, we feel there is much common ground,” he said.

Mr McGill said: “It’s great that we can make the link between the club, Benenden and the Archbishop – he is a true City supporter and, while he is extremely busy, it will be lovely to see him at Bootham Crescent again as soon as he can attend a game.”