YORK City Futsal will host their first-ever Super League fixture tomorrow afternoon when Salisbury United provide the opposition.

The Super League merged into a national competition this summer and represents the elite level of futsal in this country with the top sides qualifying for the European Champions League.

Having gained promotion last season, the Minstermen will now kick off their historic campaign at 4.30pm in the University of York’s Sport Arena, which is based at the Heslington campus.

Head Coach Junior Roberti, a former professional in Brazil, Spain and Italy, has pioneered the growth of the sport in York since 2009 and wants his team to rise to the occasion.

“There are lots of new people who have never watched the game but know we are in Super League so will come and we’ll have a responsibility to make these people proud,” Roberti admitted.

City stormed to victory on their Super League debut, beating Loughborough 3-1 a fortnight ago before falling to their first league defeat in 18 months at Manchester – a 5-3 reverse.

Salisbury, like York, have excelled in regional leagues and that winning habit has stayed with them, picking up victories over Tranmere, Birmingham and Cambridge in the early weeks of the campaign.

Roberti feels that this weekend’s game takes on even greater significance given both sides’ likely aims.

“Salisbury had a fantastic start but I think, long-term they will be fighting relegation and we are in a similar situation to them,” he reasoned. “We will need to fight hard in every game to prove we belong here.”

The Minstermen will welcome some key figures back into the fold for the Salisbury clash.

Captain and last season’s top scorer Miguel de Vicente, England international Robbie Bettson and talisman Daniel Pedras will all be available after missing out in Manchester.

Roberti is also hoping that local football fans can do their bit, adding: “If you’re from York, give us a chance. We need support and we have the chance to show people that we have a sport here they might like.”

Admission to the game is £2 for adults and £1 for under-15s.

Family season tickets are also available at https://officialsoccerschools.co.uk/yorkcity/york-city-fc-futsal-family-season-ticket-offer.html