Former York City defender Graeme Law longing for a Bootham Crescent return (From York Press)

Former York City defender Graeme Law longing for a Bootham Crescent return

8:10am Saturday 16th January 2010 in

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York City’s result has always been the first former Minsterman Graeme Law looks out for. But, on Wednesday night, the Stalybridge Celtic right back, who still lives in Copmanthorpe, will be taking an even keener interest in the outcome of City’s FA Trophy second round tie at Newport County.

For, if Martin Foyle’s men are successful in South Wales and Stalybridge can negotiate a way past fellow Blue Square North outfit Corby on the same evening, Law’s previous employers and current team will meet in the last 16 at Bootham Crescent.

After being released by Billy McEwan in 2006, Law went on to play for Dundee, Farsley Celtic and Tamworth, with whom he enjoyed a 2-0 away victory over his old team-mates the following February.

About the prospect of returning to his former stamping ground for a second time, Law said: “It would be great to go back and play against them again. I enjoyed my last visit and it was really good to get a nice reception from the fans because I loved every minute of my time at York.

“I supported them as a boy and I still read The Press to keep up with their progress. I signed for the club when I was ten and spent 11 years there, so the club’s been a big part of my life.

“I never wanted to leave, but it was made clear to a few players by the management at the time that we were not wanted because we’d been part of the previous manager’s team.”

Seventh-placed Stalybridge were beaten 3-1 by fellow play-off contenders Corby back in August during an eight-day spell in which the Badgers were also defeated by Telford 3-0 and Southport 2-1.

But, since then, the Cheshire side have been undefeated in the league and Law is optimistic ahead of next week’s home tie at Bower Fold.

He said: “When we lost to them at the beginning of the season, we had a fairly new squad and were getting used to each other. Now, they are one place above us but we have got five games in hand and we would go top if we win them all.

“We are playing very well. The aim is to beat Corby and we are confident we can do that.”

If City then lie in wait on January 30, the 25-year-old defender is predicting a tight contest despite the division difference between the two teams.

He added: “York are in good form and doing very well in the Blue Square Premier, but both teams play good football.

“We wouldn’t just come for a battle so I’m sure it would be a good game and quite close. Whoever went through from that match wouldn’t get an easy victory.”

Stalybridge are targeting a return to the highest echelon of non-League football after an eight-year absence and, with fixtures already piling up due to postponements because of the weather, a Trophy run could add further congestion to their end-of-season run-in.

But Law insisted the prospect of a Wembley final and the financial rewards offered by the competition mean Celtic are still keen to make progress in the competition.

“The league is the priority, but there’s such a big prize at the end of the FA Trophy as everybody at York City knows after last season,” Law pointed out. “You want to go as far as you can and it’s always nice to have a distraction from the league.

“Every year a team from the Blue Square North or South seems to reach the semi-finals. Telford did last season and that can bring a lot of money into a club as well.”

In addition to Law, the Minstermen could also cross swords at the end of the month with another familiar face – striker Joe O’Neill.

The ex-Preston forward scored a hat-trick on his debut for City in August 2005 but, after only managing two more in 38 subsequent appearances, he was shown the exit door, along with Law, nine months later.

His goalscoring record was similarly modest during three seasons with Altrincham, although he did manage to net during a 2-2 draw at Bootham Crescent in September 2007.

A summer move to Stalybridge, however, has seen him enjoy his finest-ever spell in front of goal, having scored 15 times so far this season.

About O’Neill’s contribution to the team, Law said: “Joe’s our top goalscorer and is in great form. When I played with him at York, I thought he was a good player, but he was probably another who did not get the chances he deserved.

“He’s been absolutely fantastic for us and his work-rate is superb. We create a lot of chances and he’s been banging them in.

“If you work as hard as he does, the goals will come. Richard Brodie is the prime example of that.”

Law, who made 36 senior appearances for the Minstermen, is still in touch with former Bootham Crescent team-mates Darren Dunning, Leigh Wood and Lev Yalcin.

Midfielders Dunning and Wood both left Harrogate for Gainsborough Trinity and Selby Town respectively last summer, while ex-Turkish youth international Yalcin is now playing local football in Middlesbrough and working as a scaffolder.

Having decided to pass up on the opportunity of a return to full-time football with last season’s Blue Square North champions Tamworth, Law is also preparing for a career away from the game.

He has begun a three-year physical education and sports coaching degree at York St John University and does not regret the decision, saying: “It was a bit daunting at first because I hadn’t studied since leaving school at 16, but I’m enjoying the course.

“As a footballer, you want to play at the highest level you can but I decided last Christmas that I wanted to go part-time and go to university and I’ve never enjoyed my football more. It was great winning the league and I’ve got my championship medal, but the travelling was becoming too much at Tamworth. I was doing a 170-mile round trip up and down the M1.”

The qualification is normally used as an avenue into teaching or professional sports coaching.

His new-found student status has also handed the former Scotland under-19 international an opportunity to represent the Three Lions after being selected for the England Universities squad.

The team play a host of Premier League reserve sides throughout the year and also go on tour to Estonia, where they will take on the national under-21 side.

And, despite being born in Kirkcaldy, Law has no qualms about playing for the Auld Enemy.

He said: “I was born in Scotland, my mother is from Scotland and I will always class myself as Scottish but I will also be immensely proud to represent England as I have spent the majority of my life here. It’s a big achievement for me and, while there might be a bit of banter in the changing room, I won’t be thinking about mixed allegiances.

“We play some quality sides so that will be really good experience and there is also the 2011 World Student Games in China on the horizon.”