York City chairman Jason McGill's 'surprise' at James Meredith move (From York Press)
Get in touch: send your photos, videos, news & views by texting YORK to 80360 or send an email»
York City chairman Jason McGill's 'surprise' at James Meredith move
11:48am Friday 29th June 2012 in Sport
By Steve Carroll, Sports reporter
James Meredith
YORK CITY chairman Jason McGill expressed his “surprise” at defender James Meredith’s move to Bradford City.
The 24-year-old will become a Bantam on July 1 after rejecting a new deal at Bootham Crescent and opting to join the Minstermen’s League Two rivals at Valley Parade.
Having been widely reported to have attracted the interest of Championship and League One clubs, Meredith’s sideways switch, on a two-year contract, has caught both supporters and officials at City off-guard.
On his move, the Australian said: "I thoroughly enjoyed my three years at York. I have nothing but respect for the manager and the chairman and they’re a great family club. But Bradford’s ambitions match my own and I’m excited to get started.
"I got on brilliantly with the manager (Phil Parkinson) from the moment I met him and he told me all about the ambitions for this club. I can’t wait to get out on the pitch in front of 10,000 in the magnificent stadium.
"I’ve heard it’s a great atmosphere to play in and I’ll be doing everything I can to help take Bradford a step up."
When asked to comment on Meredith’s move, McGill said: “At the start of the close season, we all believed that we wouldn’t have a chance at signing James again. He had gone to other clubs in League One and, apparently, was offered significantly higher money than York could afford.
“However, I had a long conversation with James on Wednesday evening that went on until 11pm at night. I was made aware that Bradford City were interested. York City gave, what I believed, was a fair offer - an improved and enhanced offer - which he had indicated was comparable with Bradford City.
“You would have to ask James Meredith the reason why he chose Bradford City over York City.”
McGill added: “I am quite surprised. James Meredith has been with us for three seasons and we have gone through the difficult stage of going to Forest Green Rovers on a Tuesday, Bath City, and the journey in the Football League is going to be a fun, enjoyable, journey with York and we wanted James to be a part of that.
“When you’ve gone through all the difficult times, you want the players, and hope that the players that had gone through those with York, to be motivated and wanting to be at the club. It is quite a surprise to me.”
Comments(33)
Colin Pratt
says...
12:07pm Fri 29 Jun 12
YCFC115 wrote:well said. Is it unfair to say that is the first sensible comment I've read from you....?
Good statement, now lets move on he was never in our plans for next season anyway.
Mickey T
says...
12:07pm Fri 29 Jun 12
I would love for us to get promoted and Bradford stay in Lge 2.
YCFC115
says...
12:15pm Fri 29 Jun 12
Colin Pratt wrote:I let you know when I can return the compliment.
YCFC115 wrote:well said. Is it unfair to say that is the first sensible comment I've read from you....?
Good statement, now lets move on he was never in our plans for next season anyway.
eborman
says...
12:16pm Fri 29 Jun 12
ian923
says...
12:25pm Fri 29 Jun 12
Shoot Me Im a City Fan
says...
12:36pm Fri 29 Jun 12
eborman wrote:@eborman!!
he thinks he has moved to a better club,i cant wait to prove him wrong when we march on to lge 1.
He has moved to a bigger club!! you explain to me how he hasnt.. didnt you read his comments.. playing in a massive stadium infornt of 10.000 fans every home game. and a club with massive ambitions to boot.. york might have ambitions also but are they realy achievable! mid table finnish if your lucky.. Welcome to league 2
Some old bloke
says...
12:40pm Fri 29 Jun 12
Good luck to him at Bradford anyway. He gave us three good years and I hope it works out for him.
Now lets concentrate on York City.
YCFC115
says...
12:44pm Fri 29 Jun 12
Shoot Me Im a City Fan wrote:I think we shouldn't get carried away and think that we are going to storm this league. With all due respect to those clubs in league 2, there is some very mediocre teams that we should be able to comfortable beat. There is also so decent teams that are bigger than us but if we play in the way GM wants we should be able to compete. Every club has ambitions this time of the year, lets hope we can keep the momentum going and get off to a good start and see where we are come the end of October. Bradford aren't the same club that saw Stuart McCall fall off the top of that car celebrating premiership survival.
eborman wrote:@eborman!!
he thinks he has moved to a better club,i cant wait to prove him wrong when we march on to lge 1.
He has moved to a bigger club!! you explain to me how he hasnt.. didnt you read his comments.. playing in a massive stadium infornt of 10.000 fans every home game. and a club with massive ambitions to boot.. york might have ambitions also but are they realy achievable! mid table finnish if your lucky.. Welcome to league 2
Sir Alex
says...
12:45pm Fri 29 Jun 12
Now where have we heard that before....??
rogue84
says...
1:06pm Fri 29 Jun 12
lets send him off with best wishes and enjoy a good relationship with our West Yorkshire neighbours, really looking forward to the clash in Oct.
A user
says...
1:27pm Fri 29 Jun 12
rogue84 wrote:Fully agree.
lets not start making digs at Bradford City over this, there's no arguments that they are a bigger club in terms of fan-base, stadium, wages etc. maybe Mez just couldn't afford the petrol to get to York every day!?
lets send him off with best wishes and enjoy a good relationship with our West Yorkshire neighbours, really looking forward to the clash in Oct.
Shoot Me Im a City Fan
says...
1:52pm Fri 29 Jun 12
A user wrote:Ill second that Comment. as a bradford fan whos seen the fall from the premier league i too said we would walk this league and go straight back up 6 bloody year ago.. and it got worse nearly droped out the football league completley last season.. however we now have a decent manager who seems to be bringing quality players so heres hopeing to a good season.. i was one person that watched your 2 games at wembley and was realy happy when you won promotion to league two. i like york always have and look forward to our 2 meetings home n away.. good luck to you york fans for the coming season.... p.s meredith will be looked after here at valley parrade.. :)
rogue84 wrote:Fully agree.
lets not start making digs at Bradford City over this, there's no arguments that they are a bigger club in terms of fan-base, stadium, wages etc. maybe Mez just couldn't afford the petrol to get to York every day!?
lets send him off with best wishes and enjoy a good relationship with our West Yorkshire neighbours, really looking forward to the clash in Oct.
YcfcKeepingTheFaith
says...
2:07pm Fri 29 Jun 12
Phil, Leeds
says...
2:22pm Fri 29 Jun 12
selbyred
says...
2:55pm Fri 29 Jun 12
duffy
says...
3:17pm Fri 29 Jun 12
Shoot Me Im a City Fan wrote:Bloody hell there are more arrogant Bradford fans than Luton ones.
eborman wrote: he thinks he has moved to a better club,i cant wait to prove him wrong when we march on to lge 1.@eborman!! He has moved to a bigger club!! you explain to me how he hasnt.. didnt you read his comments.. playing in a massive stadium infornt of 10.000 fans every home game. and a club with massive ambitions to boot.. york might have ambitions also but are they realy achievable! mid table finnish if your lucky.. Welcome to league 2
The Legend Of Keith
says...
3:26pm Fri 29 Jun 12
COYR
eborman
says...
3:32pm Fri 29 Jun 12
Shoot Me Im a City Fan wrote:i didnt say bigger club mr arrogant
eborman wrote:@eborman!!
he thinks he has moved to a better club,i cant wait to prove him wrong when we march on to lge 1.
He has moved to a bigger club!! you explain to me how he hasnt.. didnt you read his comments.. playing in a massive stadium infornt of 10.000 fans every home game. and a club with massive ambitions to boot.. york might have ambitions also but are they realy achievable! mid table finnish if your lucky.. Welcome to league 2
The Legend Of Keith
says...
3:39pm Fri 29 Jun 12
eborman wrote:Bigger, better... it's all pointless conjecture. Just wait until our first game when when invade your ground and bring you to heel ;-)... but in all seriousness, it's about time YCFC had a decent local derby in which this type of banter can be played out. League 2 is going to be very enjoyable...
Shoot Me Im a City Fan wrote:i didnt say bigger club mr arrogant
eborman wrote:@eborman!!
he thinks he has moved to a better club,i cant wait to prove him wrong when we march on to lge 1.
He has moved to a bigger club!! you explain to me how he hasnt.. didnt you read his comments.. playing in a massive stadium infornt of 10.000 fans every home game. and a club with massive ambitions to boot.. york might have ambitions also but are they realy achievable! mid table finnish if your lucky.. Welcome to league 2
COYR
YCFC115
says...
3:56pm Fri 29 Jun 12
YoRkIe59
says...
4:13pm Fri 29 Jun 12
Shoot Me Im a City Fan
says...
5:13pm Fri 29 Jun 12
eborman wrote:How am i being Arrogant??
Shoot Me Im a City Fan wrote:i didnt say bigger club mr arrogant
eborman wrote:@eborman!!
he thinks he has moved to a better club,i cant wait to prove him wrong when we march on to lge 1.
He has moved to a bigger club!! you explain to me how he hasnt.. didnt you read his comments.. playing in a massive stadium infornt of 10.000 fans every home game. and a club with massive ambitions to boot.. york might have ambitions also but are they realy achievable! mid table finnish if your lucky.. Welcome to league 2
YOU said he thinks he moved to a better club,
I ask for you to explain why YOU think he hasnt moved to a better club,
However the dictionary app placed bigger instead of better.
So here it is again.. why do you think he hasnt moved to a BETTER club? Mr eborman.. Better stadium, Better fan base, Better Team why wouldnt bradford be better?
circuitous route dorset
says...
6:46pm Fri 29 Jun 12
MyDadLovesJamieReed
says...
12:06pm Sat 30 Jun 12
Tug job
says...
1:33pm Sat 30 Jun 12
OB-1
says...
9:27pm Sat 30 Jun 12
We need a solid LB ............ a LB! Not a LB who is a half decent holding mid-fielder, not a LB who is always bombing on out of position ........ not a LB who doesn't really want to play for the club.
IMO Gibson & Fyfield were better options at LB last year, Mills knew it. The only reason to keep him would have been his versitility, and with the quality we NOW have in the middle of the park he would be needed there ....................
......... so I say actually, we don't need him anymore, he just didn't fit the bill.
Thanks for all you did in 3 years, but we move on and we'll be stronger for you moving on!
duffy
says...
7:20pm Sun 1 Jul 12
OB-1 wrote:I think Mez is one of the best left backs the club has had in my 35 years of watching City, Fyfield is not even on the same planet at this stage in his career.
I think if we are honest, we can do better than Meredith, he aint all that.
We need a solid LB ............ a LB! Not a LB who is a half decent holding mid-fielder, not a LB who is always bombing on out of position ........ not a LB who doesn't really want to play for the club.
IMO Gibson & Fyfield were better options at LB last year, Mills knew it. The only reason to keep him would have been his versitility, and with the quality we NOW have in the middle of the park he would be needed there ....................
......... so I say actually, we don't need him anymore, he just didn't fit the bill.
Thanks for all you did in 3 years, but we move on and we'll be stronger for you moving on!
joejamestom
says...
8:05pm Sun 1 Jul 12
Kiddys LB Baker a couple of years ago was a rival but went to Newport & has not featured a great deal due to injury,
might be worth a look as I believe he has been released attacking quality FBs being not all that common in the lower reaches.
Good luck to MEZ he owes us nothing & should play higher than LG 2.
OB-1
says...
12:00pm Mon 2 Jul 12
duffy wrote:He is a conference LB ........ fact. His "ambition?" at moving to Bradford has proved that.
OB-1 wrote: I think if we are honest, we can do better than Meredith, he aint all that. We need a solid LB ............ a LB! Not a LB who is a half decent holding mid-fielder, not a LB who is always bombing on out of position ........ not a LB who doesn't really want to play for the club. IMO Gibson & Fyfield were better options at LB last year, Mills knew it. The only reason to keep him would have been his versitility, and with the quality we NOW have in the middle of the park he would be needed there .................... ......... so I say actually, we don't need him anymore, he just didn't fit the bill. Thanks for all you did in 3 years, but we move on and we'll be stronger for you moving on!I think Mez is one of the best left backs the club has had in my 35 years of watching City, Fyfield is not even on the same planet at this stage in his career.
Mills will get better than Mez in, if not then Fyfield will grow & grow, once picked as a regular. Fyfield has more potential of growth than Mez who IMO has peaked.
duffy
says...
8:05pm Mon 2 Jul 12
OB-1 wrote:Your opinion but I doubt you would get many in agreement.
duffy wrote:He is a conference LB ........ fact. His "ambition?" at moving to Bradford has proved that.
OB-1 wrote: I think if we are honest, we can do better than Meredith, he aint all that. We need a solid LB ............ a LB! Not a LB who is a half decent holding mid-fielder, not a LB who is always bombing on out of position ........ not a LB who doesn't really want to play for the club. IMO Gibson & Fyfield were better options at LB last year, Mills knew it. The only reason to keep him would have been his versitility, and with the quality we NOW have in the middle of the park he would be needed there .................... ......... so I say actually, we don't need him anymore, he just didn't fit the bill. Thanks for all you did in 3 years, but we move on and we'll be stronger for you moving on!I think Mez is one of the best left backs the club has had in my 35 years of watching City, Fyfield is not even on the same planet at this stage in his career.
Mills will get better than Mez in, if not then Fyfield will grow & grow, once picked as a regular. Fyfield has more potential of growth than Mez who IMO has peaked.
KAT1965
says...
9:18pm Wed 4 Jul 12
duffy wrote:Seems not only Darth Vader knew that OB-1 was talking BS
OB-1 wrote:Your opinion but I doubt you would get many in agreement.
duffy wrote:He is a conference LB ........ fact. His "ambition?" at moving to Bradford has proved that.
OB-1 wrote: I think if we are honest, we can do better than Meredith, he aint all that. We need a solid LB ............ a LB! Not a LB who is a half decent holding mid-fielder, not a LB who is always bombing on out of position ........ not a LB who doesn't really want to play for the club. IMO Gibson & Fyfield were better options at LB last year, Mills knew it. The only reason to keep him would have been his versitility, and with the quality we NOW have in the middle of the park he would be needed there .................... ......... so I say actually, we don't need him anymore, he just didn't fit the bill. Thanks for all you did in 3 years, but we move on and we'll be stronger for you moving on!I think Mez is one of the best left backs the club has had in my 35 years of watching City, Fyfield is not even on the same planet at this stage in his career.
Mills will get better than Mez in, if not then Fyfield will grow & grow, once picked as a regular. Fyfield has more potential of growth than Mez who IMO has peaked.
KAT1965
says...
9:21pm Wed 4 Jul 12
duffy wrote:Seems not only Darth Vader knew that OB-1 was talking BS
OB-1 wrote:Your opinion but I doubt you would get many in agreement.
duffy wrote:He is a conference LB ........ fact. His "ambition?" at moving to Bradford has proved that.
OB-1 wrote: I think if we are honest, we can do better than Meredith, he aint all that. We need a solid LB ............ a LB! Not a LB who is a half decent holding mid-fielder, not a LB who is always bombing on out of position ........ not a LB who doesn't really want to play for the club. IMO Gibson & Fyfield were better options at LB last year, Mills knew it. The only reason to keep him would have been his versitility, and with the quality we NOW have in the middle of the park he would be needed there .................... ......... so I say actually, we don't need him anymore, he just didn't fit the bill. Thanks for all you did in 3 years, but we move on and we'll be stronger for you moving on!I think Mez is one of the best left backs the club has had in my 35 years of watching City, Fyfield is not even on the same planet at this stage in his career.
Mills will get better than Mez in, if not then Fyfield will grow & grow, once picked as a regular. Fyfield has more potential of growth than Mez who IMO has peaked.
YCFC115 says...
11:57am Fri 29 Jun 12