Like death and taxes there is one other certainty in football life - a manager will get the sack.

Alan Little discovered that bitter reality yesterday when six switchback years as York City leader ended in dismissal.

Amid the rancour of the supporters, many of whom arrived at Queen Anne's School to let off steam at the City boss, there was also an appreciation of just what he had achieved.

It includes a Wembley triumph and promotion in his fledgling first few months, a play-off push in his first full season and giant-killing epics over Manchester United and Everton.

He also kept the team in the second division for its longest-ever spell.

But with those credits were the debits of relegation battles in two of the last three seasons, with a third now threatening the club in the final stages of this season.

But another plus point is that, while Little was frequently castigated for buys that went sour, his wheeling and dealing helped establish City as a major market force.

In his six-year tenure a profit of more than £2 million was shown on transfer dealings. To a club, harder-pressed each year by cash demands, that is a major achievement.

Alan Little was not one of those ranting, raving, touchline-prowling managers. That was often misinterpreted by fans as a lack of passion. But he cared deeply for York City. There's no way you could, eat, sleep, breathe the club for nigh on 11 years, as he did from coach through to commander, without passion.

His zeal for the job was matchless, as was the unstinting efforts he put in to try to get it right. He is north-east tough and working-class honest, for that Alan Little deserves to be remembered as one of the most honourable of Minstermen managers.

see NEWS 'Little sacked'

see SPORT 'You can do it'

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