Player round-up

Adam Arthur
(2+1 League app, 0 goals)
Eager but his first-team chances in the last three games of the season were probably a little premature. The slightest and most baby-faced of City’s youngsters, Arthur found it difficult to make an impact on the right wing and will benefit from careful nurturing next season.

Rating: 5/10.

Kane Ashcroft
(1+1 League app)
Almost scored with his first touch in League football as a 17-year-old substitute against Leyton Orient and followed that up with a combative start at Swansea before fading and being substituted. Rating: 6/10.

Andy Bell
(3+7 League app, 1 goal)
Striker struggled to fulfil the early promise that he had shown in scoring an impressive goal against Scunthorpe in only his second substitute appearance. He is now looking for a new club after failing to earn a permanent deal at City. Rating: 5/10.

Stephen Brackstone
(4+5 League app, 2 goals; 1+1 cup app)
Precious few opportunities to re-establish himself in the first team under Chris Brass, having been an ever-present under Terry Dolan until an appendix operation saw him miss the second half of the previous season. When given the odd chance to shine this time around he obviously failed to impress Brass. Rating: 5/10.

Chris Brass
(39 League app, 1 goal, 2 cup app)
Did not attain the playing standards of previous seasons but could not be matched for commitment and communication. His organising skills were missed when he was taken out of defence either because of suspension or selecting himself in midfield, where he did a solid job. Rating: 6/10.

Gary Browne
(2+4 League app)
The ex-Manchester City striker was loaned out to Whitby before he was given his Minstermen debut. Possessed ability if afforded time and space but struggled with the pace and physical side of Third Division football and was soon on his way. Rating: 4/10.

Lee Bullock
(34+1 League app, 7 goals; 2 cup app)
Was sorely missed as the link man between midfield and attack after his loan departure to Cardiff in March despite being used as Lee Nogan’s striking partner in his last few appearances in a City shirt. Has since gone on to score three times for the Bluebirds, taking his tally for the season into double figures and underlining his priceless ability to get goals from midfield. Rating: 7/10.

Matthew Coad
(0+3 League app)
Enthusiastic in each of his three substitute appearances and would probably have been given his full debut at the end of the season if he had not been injured. Could figure more next season after signing a professional contract. Rating 6/10.

Richard Cooper
(26+12 League app, 2 goals; 2 cup app)
Chris Brass called Cooper the unluckiest player to be released by City after several whole-hearted displays. An effective midfield anchor man and an expert at breaking play up, Cooper would prove even more useful to a side with a ball-playing, skilful operator alongside him.

He also developed an impressive ability to time his runs into the penalty box last season, resulting in two goals but struggled when used at right-wing back. Rating: 7/10.

Dean Crowe
(2+3 League app)
Arrived with a decent reputation for goals and on his debut at Macclesfield looked lively enough. Often asked to play wider than he would perhaps have preferred, but failed to score and showed no real burning desire to succeed. No surprise when he returned to Luton. Rating 5/10.

Sean Davies
(6+2 League app)
Showed plenty of promise in his six starts for the Minstermen. Only 18, he appeared composed and unaffected by the pressure of first-team football and turned in a couple of man-of-the-match displays. Probably withdrawn from the action at the right time as the dogfight intensified but Third Division experience will be beneficial in his development.

Rating: 6/10.

Jonjo Dickman
(2 League app)
On-loan Sunderland midfielder worked hard for City in the impressive 0-0 draw at Oxford but was injured early in his next game and returned to the Stadium of Light for treatment. Rating: 6/10.

Craig Dove
(1 League app; 1 cup app)
Brass indicated Middlesbrough’s England youth international was something of an indulgence, a player who could unlock doors but was perhaps not the hardest worker in a team, the type who just might spark a shot-shy City into life in front of goal. Dove rarely rose above the ordinary. Rating: 4/10.

Steve Downes
(4+2 League apps, 1 cup app)
Signed as a squad player and in his few first team appearances never really looked more than that. Showed potential in the reserves, but first team football looked a step too far. Rating 5/10.

Darren Dunning
(42 League app, 3 goals; 3 cup app, 1 goal)
City’s most productive, passionate and creative midfielder. His dead-ball skills also improved during the season resulting in two goals direct from free-kicks and several assists from corners. Dunning’s performances during a difficult season saw him become a runaway winner of the Evening Press’ Player of the Year award in addition to lifting three other trophies. Should blossom in the Conference where he will be under less pressure than during the last few months of the season. Rating 8/10.

Darren Edmondson
(26+1 app, 1 goal; 2 cup app)
City’s captain had inspirational moments at right-wing back but they were sadly few and far between in an injury-interrupted season.

Edmondson was potentially City’s most potent attacking tool when rampaging down the flank but his display at Doncaster when he was substituted at half-time marked the nadir of a disappointing season and proved his last game in a Minstermen shirt. Rating: 5/10.

Christian Fox
(2+3 League app)
Another injury-plagued season for City’s longest-serving player saw him only start two matches and resulted in his subsequent release.

Rating 5/10.

Liam George
(14+7 app, 3 goals; 0+2 cup app)
Appeared a potential saviour when he returned to City’s starting line-up after a six-month absence with a man-of-the-match scoring performance in the 1-1 draw with Bury but failed to raise his game in a similar manner in any of the next five games and has since been released. Flashes of skill but only really produced over 90 minutes against Bury. Rating: 5/10.

Robbie Haw
(0+1 League app)
Given his debut as a 60th-minute substitute at Swansea. The 17-year-old was full of running but it’s too early to assess his first-team potential. Rating 6/10.

Richard Hope
(36 League app, 2 goals: 3 cup app)
Strong presence at the back for City and an aerial attacking threat at set-pieces but should have perhaps netted more than twice in his 36 appearances. A reliable performer whose consistency was welcome in a side whose individual standards were not always dependable. Rating: 7/10.

Graeme Law
(2+2 League app)
The Scottish Under-19 international looked a natural full-back after breaking into the team at the end of the season. Showed good positional sense and recovered from a mistake against Doncaster to perform well in front of an intimidating crowd. Likely to get more chances next season following the departure of Edmondson. Rating: 6/10.

David Merris
(42+2 League app; 2+1 app, 1 goals)
Adapted very well to League football having signed from Harrogate Town at the age of 22 but appeared physically and mentally exhausted by the end of the season. Proved he could be a source of dangerous left-wing crosses as a forward-thinking wing-back but team suffered when his supply dried up during the final third of the season. Could still prove an inspired non-League recruit. Rating: 7/10.

Jon Newby
(6+1 League app)
Worked hard and showed pace during his loan stay but carried as much goal threat as you would expect from a striker with just one goal in nearly 50 matches. Would probably be an asset in the Conference but the former Liverpool FA Youth Cup winner is unlikely to drop out of the Football League. Rating: 6/10.

Lee Nogan
(38+1 League app, 8 goals; 2+1 cup, 1 goal)
City’s assistant manager finished the season as the club’s leading marksman with nine goals in a side that created few goalscoring chances. Enjoyed a purple patch of five goals in nine starts either side of Christmas but did not find the net in 12 matches before his season ended with a fractured cheekbone against Yeovil. Rating: 7/10.

Richard Offiong
(2+2 League app)
Newcastle reserve Offiong came to Bootham Crescent outlining his future England aspirations having played for his country at Under-20 level but he showed little international potential during a disappointing loan spell. Movement and commitment were both lacking in the Magpies’ striker’s game. Rating: 4/10.

Mark Ovendale
(41 League apps, 3 cup apps)
Enjoyed an impressive season after signing at late notice when a move for Marlon Beresford fell through. His judgement at crosses and handling was excellent throughout the season and his shot-stopping skills also earned City points and prevented heavier defeats. Unlucky to be released at the end of the season with manager Chris Brass likely to save money on his wage bill by making Chris Porter his number one and freeing up money for strengthening other options. Rating: 8/10.

Jon Parkin
(9+6 League app, 2 goals; 1 cup app)
Big Jon struggled for fitness and form in his farewell season but he will be remembered for three games. Cheltenham away where his terrific 40-yard strike was a clear winner of City’s Goal of the Season award, Northampton away where he conceded a bizarre own goal and Macclesfield at home where his goalscoring display for the visitors after his departure from Bootham Crescent helped intensify City’s relegation worries.

Parkin’s larger-than-life personality and potential attacking threat will be missed but some of his defensive displays last season will not. Rating: 5/10.

Chris Porter
(5 League app)
Raised question marks over his number one potential after a shaky display against Leyton Orient in the last home match of the season.

Porter looks an excellent shot-stopper but his kicking and handling of crosses could be improved. Rating: 6/10.

Jon Shaw
(5+3 League app)
Robust striker who was recalled by Sheffield Wednesday during his second month on loan at Bootham Crescent. Hard-working and quick, his one failing was a lack of composure in front of goal that saw him fail to find the net in eight games. Rating 6/10.

Chris Smith
(26+2 League app; 2 cup app)
Appeared to suffer a crisis of confidence when the going got tough during the second half of the season and his errors were responsible for several goals City conceded in that period. Looked more comfortable on the right-hand side of a back three along with Brass and Richard Hope but struggled when asked to play in the centre. Rating: 5/10.

Bryan Stewart
(2+8 League app, 0+1 cup app)
The club’s most natural winger ended the season with two encouraging displays in his first two starts at the tender age of 18. After figuring heavily as a substitute early in the season, he was left out for his own protection and development but could enable Chris Brass to play his favoured 4-4-2 formation next season. Rating 6/10.

Justin Walker
(7+2 League app)
Neat and tidy midfielder with close ball control and the rare ability to dribble past players. Possibly City’s most impressive loan signing of the season but returned to Cambridge after two months and could perhaps have contributed more than just one assist and no goals in his nine appearances. Rating: 6/10.

Mitch Ward
(27+4 League app, 2 cup app)
Disappointing second half of the season from City’s one player with Premiership experience. He rarely pulled the strings from midfield as he had done in his early days at Bootham Crescent and left the club under a cloud after allegedly refusing to sit on the subs’ bench. Rating: 5/10.

Aron Wilford
(4+2 League app, 2 goals; 1+1 cup app)
A case of what might have been...In glimpses showed tremendous potential, underlined with a stunning goal against Rochdale. Perhaps lacked the confidence and desire to dominate defenders, and never really grasped the opportunity handed to him by City. Looked destined to return to non-League football, but has since joined Lincoln City – scoring at the weekend. Rating: 5/10.

Stuart Wise
(18+1 League app, 1 goal; 2 cup app)
Displayed the kind of no-nonsense defending that could be required in the Conference next season. Brave and mentally tough, he maintained his standards in games when the rest of the team struggled. Distribution could improve but one of City’s better performers. Rating: 7/10.

Leigh Wood
(21+5 League app; 1 cup app)
Appeared to be one of the players cited by Chris Brass as lacking the mental toughness required in a relegation battle. Timid at times,when used in midfield, he displayed quality on the ball but was too often a peripheral figure. Saved his best performance during the last two months of the season as a centre-back in the final game at Swansea.

5/10.

Lev Yalcin
(5+10 League app)
The Turkish Under-19 international, who has been so prolific a scorer as a junior and reserve striker with City, is still waiting to break his first-team duck after 20 appearances. Has shown glimpses of his undoubted ability but will, no doubt, benefit from a full pre-season training programme after his injury problems and rediscover the touch and extra yard of pace that he his handful of performances lacked.

Rating: 6/10.

Note: +figures indicate sub appearances.