THE CHORUS was clear. "Stand Up if you love City!" The York City supporters rose as one.

Relegated from League Two just over 12 months ago, City had been targeting automatic promotion this season.

Sadly, things have gone from bad to worse for the Minstermen and they are now preparing for life in National League North for the first time in their 95 year history.

But the relationship between this club and it's followers will survive far more than back-to-back relegations. That was clear for all to see during Sunday's FA Trophy final victory against Macclesfield Town at Wembley.

It had been three weeks since relegation from the National League had been confirmed and York manager Gary Mills had urged all connected with the club to view the game as the beginning of a 'new chapter' rather than the end of a sorry tale.

His positivity is admirable and City walked out at Wembley backed by over 7,500 supporters - nearly three times the average for a home game at Bootham Crescent this season.

The game was never going to provide true consolation for the chilling pain of relegation but it has signified the start of the healing process.

Mills, almost apologetically, applauded the York supporters before the kick-off. The cheers they sent back in reply underlined the fact that others are held more responsible for the club's decline.

By the time the final whistle blew, Mills was being hailed a hero and blew kisses to the crowd while beating his chest!

After entering the stage to a cascade of spectacular flames and the National Anthem, the two teams got down to business.

It took only eight minutes for striker Jon Parkin to nod City into the lead - sparking a wave of emotion - but Rhys Browne soon equalised for Macclesfield.

The tide turned back in City's favour when Vadaine Oliver slid in at the back to post to make it 2-1.

City supporters now rose to proclaim their 'love for the Reds'.

Deep into first half stoppage time, Macclesfield equalised again; Ollie Norburn almost bursting the back of the net with a shot from 25 yards.

City came under growing pressure after the break and Hamza Bencherif headed a shot from Kingsley James off the line.

But substitute Aidan Connolly netted the winner for York four minutes from the end. A kiss of life perhaps?

The FA Trophy involved 128 clubs from tiers 5-8 of the English football league pyramid (National League, Southern League, Isthmian League, and Northern Premier League).

City banked £57,000 in prize money for reaching the final - thanks to victories against Worcester City, Harlow Town, Nuneaton Town, Brackley Town, and Lincoln City - and another £25,000 for lifting the trophy.

Winning the Trophy is hardly an 'achievement' to rank alongside reaching an FA Cup semi-final in the 1950s or playing Manchester United and Chelsea in the Second Division in the 1970s. And this is also a club that has spent 79 of its 95 years playing in the Football League.

But times change and, right now, the majority of York City supporters are happy to cling on to any crumb of comfort, any shoot of recovery, any 'big' day out.

Who knows? For many, this trip to Wembley could even be the start of a new 'love affair' with the Minstermen.

But whatever you do, just don't tell them that this romantic liaison can lead to a few heartbreaks.

If they knew what the last two years have felt like to those already involved, they might just run a mile!

The total attendance for Non-League Finals Day - which also included the FA Vase final won by South Shields against Cleethorpes Town - was 38,224.