Parslow desperate to figure in City big play-off promotion decider (From York Press)

Daniel Parslow desperate to figure in York City big play-off promotion decider

11:41am Tuesday 15th May 2012 in Sport By Dave Flett , Sports reporter

YORK City stalwart Daniel Parslow is desperate to help the club win promotion at Wembley after being overlooked in the last play-off final two years ago.

Parslow was an unused substitute as City endured a 3-1 defeat against Oxford in 2010 when Djoumin Sangare, Michael Gash and Courtney Pitt were hailed off the bench by then manager Martin Foyle instead.

But the 26-year-old utility man, who will be the longest-serving Minsterman in Sunday’s squad for the Blue Square Bet Premier showdown with Luton, is hoping to play a full part this time around having started nine of the last ten matches under Gary Mills.

On the prospect of making the first XI this weekend, Parslow said: “You want to do your best for the team and go out and express yourself so, hopefully, I will get that opportunity this time around.

“I’m sure all the lads on the bench and in the stands, as well as the 11 starting, all want the same thing but obviously, as a footballer, you want to be out there showing everyone you are doing your best to get the club back into the League.”

Parslow has flitted between playing in the back four and as a midfield anchorman in recent weeks and admitted he would feel comfortable filling either role against the Hatters, adding: “I’ll let the gaffer decide on that one if he has to.

“I would just be happy to do whatever job he sees fit and will do my best.

“I’ve been getting a bit excited spraying passes about in midfield but maybe, if I play there on Sunday, I will keep it simple and just pass it to somebody who can play, like Paddy (McLaughlin).”

Currently in his sixth season at Bootham Crescent and, having been at the club when Mills’ predecessors Billy McEwan and Foyle both saw their tilts at play-off glory end at the semi-final and final stage in 2007 and 2010 respectively, Parslow believes the current group of players have a team spirit that can make Sunday a matter of third time lucky.

Mills has worked hard to keep a big squad of evenly-matched players content and Parslow, who, left, had only started two league games prior to Christmas, said: “Like every manager, the gaffer has got his own style but one of his great strengths is making everyone pull together.

“He makes everybody strive for the same thing and, hopefully, we can use that dressing room spirit to get over the finishing line. We’ve used a lot of players this season and the squad has been stretched to the limit but everybody who has put a shirt on has put in a shift for the team and pulled their weight.

“We are proud of what we have achieved so far and need to make sure we finish the job off now.”

City take an unbeaten record this term of three wins and one draw against FA Trophy semi-final opponents Luton into Sunday.

In terms of total non-League meetings between the sides over the last three seasons, the Minstermen have also won six and drawn three of the ten matches.

But Parslow believes Saturday’s 2-0 FA Trophy final victory over Newport under the famous arch will carry more significance this weekend than the two teams’ previous clashes.

He said: “Those games against Luton will count for very little now. It’s a cup final and a one-off game.

“We can say we’ve done really well against them this season but it’s down to 90 minutes and all about whoever handles the pressure. We loved every minute on Saturday and we can use that to our advantage.

“It can only be of benefit really. It’s such a grand place with so much tradition but the whole squad has now experienced that vibe so you can almost look at Saturday as a dress rehearsal.

“The fact we came away with a fantastic result means we can take the momentum into Sunday and getting into the League is what everything’s all about. We’ve been talking about winning twice at Wembley for the last two months but it was always about making sure we used the FA Trophy final experience to take into the bigger game – the play-off final.

“We need the result in that one and the players are fired up. It’s a tough league to get out of with only one automatic promotion spot. It’s now down to two teams at Wembley.”

Former Welsh under-21 international Parslow is also pleased this weekend’s match will not require him to bite his lip through his country’s national anthem as against Newport.

“I was tempted but thought that might not go down too well,” he laughed. “Normally I belt it out with pride.”

Outnumbered north

YORK City’s Blue Square Bet Premier final opponents Luton Town have sold five times more tickets.

Around 26,300 Luton fans had bought their seats last night, compared to 5,095 from North Yorkshire.

Tickets can be bought by visiting the York City page on See Tickets’ website at www.seetickets.com/york or by phoning See Tickets on 0844 995 9661.

The cost for adults is £36 and £18 for concessions or a £41 flat rate for Club Wembley seats.

There are also booking charges per ticket of £3 for adults and £1.50 for under-16s in addition to a postal charge of £2.25 per order.

A recorded delivery option is available as well for £6.