Wayne Hall etched his name into Bootham Crescent folklore when he scored the fifth and final spot-kick which clinched the promotion-winning penalty shoot-out against Crewe at Wembley in 1993.

Legendary status assured, fans' affection for 'Ginner' was multiplied tenfold when he had the audacity to nutmeg wing wonder Ryan Giggs and help the Minstermen to an improbable 3-0 victory over the mighty Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Looking back over his decade-long stint at Bootham Crescent, Hall admits he is fortunate to have many such golden memories to cherish. City supporters are too.

But in a month that has seen the managerial merry-go-round turn again, it is perhaps worth remembering the adage that one person's misfortune is always another's gain.

For had the axe not fallen on then Darlington manager Dave Booth in 1989 it is quite conceivable that Hall would now be plying his trade for the Quakers.

Hall, who was back then playing for Hatfield Main in the Northern Counties East League, explained: "I went on trial to Darlington and they offered me a contract but the manager (Booth) then got the sack.

"It was unfortunate at the time but it worked out in the end because he rang John Bird (the then City manager) and put my name forward.

"John Bird got me down here, I played a few reserve games and he offered me a contract.

"It was a bit funny how I arrived here but that is how things work out."

Hall, 31, sixth in the all time City appearance record with 414, one more than former team mate Tony Canham and just 14 behind fifth-placed Tommy Forgan, admits one-club men such as himself are something of a dying breed.

"With the Bosman ruling people can move about and when your contract comes to an end they can just go," said Hall.

Despite the chance of earning a lucrative free-transfer at the end of the season when his own current deal expires, Hall has expressed his desire to stay at Bootham Crescent.

He admits he has been offered chances to move on before, all of them rejected.

"I have had chances to move but to be honest it has never really crossed my mind. I have always been happy and have a great affection for the club.

"When my contract was up previously I know a couple of clubs approached me. But I just wanted to stay at York.

"The fans have been good to me. Hopefully, they can appreciate what I have done for the club and that is why they give me such a good reception. I hope it is."

Penalties and nutmegs aside, it is perhaps Hall's iron-will desire to succeed and no-nonsense style that makes him such a true fans' favourite.

The Rotherham-born 31-year-old followed the likes of Chris Waddle and Ian Wright in forging a career in football after first savouring life in the 'real world' of work.

Hall was with Sheffield United as a schoolboy but was never offered a contract after leaving school, deemed "too small" to ever make the grade.

His dreams of a life as a professional footballer seemingly at an end, he was forced to make a living by other means starting out with a steel bending company in South Yorkshire.

"When I left school I was about 4ft 10ins but I started work and it makes you grow up a bit when you have to be up at 6.30am to be at work for 7am. I would get home and just go to bed until I got used to it.

"I started in the works labouring, then I went into the works office then I went into the sales office.

"Then I started to grow, not much, but it was a start."

Despite the sometimes grim realities of work, Hall seems grateful for his time on the shop floor.

"I enjoyed my time there and I still keep in touch with a lot of people who I worked with. In fact, the gaffer of the company will be coming to my meal on Monday.

"But there isn't much fun getting up at 6.30am to be at work when your hands are shaking from the freezing cold and you're in front of the gas bottle with the heater on top. It's no fun and you always remember that and think I don't really want to go back to it.

"It's definitely kept my feet on the ground."

As for the future, Hall admits his main concern is to shake-off his injury, regain his first team place and then earn a new deal. A new three year contract and Hall could, mathematically, surpass Barry Jackson's record milestone of 539 appearances for City

"I just want to play for as long as possible," he admits.

"It has been a frustrating time with my heel lately, but I am a naturally fit kind of person so as long as I keep performing on the pitch and keep my fitness up, well, who knows? I have got ambitions I would like to fulfil."

After qualifying as a grade three-certificate referee last year, Hall is currently taking his UEFA 'B' coaching badge and admits he is keeping his options open for when he finally does hang up the boots.

In the meantime, Hall is determined to add another golden memory to his collection.

"Everyone looks at Wembley, Old Trafford and beating Everton as the good times, but it really did hurt going down last year," he winces..

"I want to be here when this team gets promotion, absolutely, and hopefully it will be next season."

Factfile

Age: 31Date of birth: October 25, 1968Place of birth: RotherhamHeight: 5ft 9insWeight: 10st 6lbPosition: left back/left midfieldCity appearances: 414 (including 19 as substitute). Debut: May 9 1989 as a substitute v Cambridge United (home), Division Four, lost 2-1.Goals: 11

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.