FORMER Icelandic premier division striker Ben Everson became Gary Mills’ first and only signing of the January transfer window last week.

But do not be surprised if there is more activity at Bootham Crescent before deadline day a week on Thursday.

Ever since the window was introduced into English football during the troublesome 2002/03 season for the Minstermen, when the likes of Peter Duffield, Alan Fettis and Rogerio were all offloaded during the first month of the new year, Mills has overseen the two busiest Januarys in terms of transfer business.

At this stage last year, he recruited Scott Brown, Matthew Blinkhorn and Moses Ashikodi, while Andre Boucaud and David McDermott headed for the exit door.

Trinidad & Tobago international Boucaud, recently signed by League One Notts County from Luton, probably proved the most significant deal during that window.

Rewind another 12 months and Mills oversaw another five January deals with Scott Kerr brought in to replace Luton-bound Alex Lawless.

Jamie Reed and Liam Darville were also snapped up while right-back Duane Courtney was released following a miserable time with the Minstermen.

Prior to Mills’ tenure, discounting loan signings, the club had largely adopted a one in and one out policy.

His predecessor Martin Foyle’s January transfer window record did not really inspire with midfielders Jamie Clarke and Christian Smith – arrivals in 2010 and 2009 respectively – both struggling to make an impact during the rest of those seasons.

Likewise, Colin Walker’s decision to move current Preston striker Chris Beardsley on and replace him with Simon Rusk in 2008 does not look the best bit of business in hindsight.

Billy McEwan was more successful during the two New Year transfer windows he presided over, snapping up Neal Bishop and Richard Brodie in successive seasons – both of whom would help the team mount future play-off challenges.

Former player-manager Chris Brass was also moved on to Bury as McEwan ushered Bishop in.

But Brass, himself, did not conduct any January transfer business in 2004 before City suffered a second-half-of-the-season collapse that would conclude with the loss of the club’s Football League status.

Terry Dolan was the first to operate under the new window system but off-field traumas meant he was unable to sign anybody, meaning Bishop became the first player to be recruited by the Minstermen in January three years after the legislation had been introduced.

Since then, some have been hits, some misses and others in between.

Time will tell which category Everson falls into.

York City’s January transfer deals

2011/12
In – Scott Brown, Matthew Blinkhorn, Moses Ashikodi
Out – David McDermott, Andre Boucaud

2010/11
In – Jamie Reed, Scott Kerr, Liam Darville
Out – Alex Lawless, Duane Courtney

2009/10
In – Jamie Clark
Out - Andy Ferrell

2008/09
In – Christian Smith
Out - None

2007/08
In – Simon Rusk
Out - Chris Beardsley

2006/07
In – Richard Brodie
Out - Byron Webster

2005/06
In – Neal Bishop
Out - Chris Brass

2004/05
In – None
Out – None

2003/04
In – None
Out – None

2002/03
In – None
Out – Peter Duffield, Alan Fettis, Rogerio Carvalho

 

Trust meeting switch

City’s Supporters Trust, meanwhile, have rearranged Thursday’s planned annual general meeting for a provisional date of February 28.

That decision had to be taken when the number of Trust board members that attended Thursday’s meeting was below the minimum figure required under the rules of the supporters’ body.

An informal meeting was still held in the Pitchside Bar where the club’s annual accounts were presented for perusal.