Wemb-glee lifts York City to the delight of manager Gary Mills

12:00pm Friday 13th April 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Dave Flett, Sports reporter

Fans queue for Wembley tickets Fans queue for Wembley tickets

YORK City manager Gary Mills believes Wembley fever has given his side “a big boost” ahead of tomorrow’s home match with future FA Trophy final opponents Newport.

City players have been greeted this week by the sight of fans queueing up for tickets at Bootham Crescent for the May 12 showpiece and Mills feels that will inspire his players rather than prove a distraction as the club looks to secure a Blue Square Bet Premier play-off place with four fixtures to go.

Tomorrow’s game is also important for Newport, who know a victory will stave off the threat of relegation should Hayes & Yeading United fail to win against Mansfield at the same time.

On the Wembley effect, Mills said: “You can’t stop people talking about Wembley and it gives everybody a big boost to see the ground busy as we enter a very important last two weeks of the season. Everybody is here because we are going to Wembley and it’s all exciting.”

Mills has warned Newport to expect a better display from City following last week’s 2-1 defeat at Spytty Park in this season’s first league meeting between the clubs.

• From Back Page He added: “It was a difficult night there. The pitch wasn’t great and we did not play how we can.

Related links

“I want them to see a different side here tomorrow. I saw how capable my side are at Alfreton and we need to bring that to this game.

“Both teams need three points and I’m glad we need them for a different reason to Newport.

“If we win, we stay fourth and nobody else can do anything about that, so it’s important that we get the three points.”

Jason Walker (hamstring) and Ben Gibson (illness) have both returned to training after missing Monday’s 2-0 victory at Alfreton.

But one player who will not play a part tomorrow or, for the rest of the season, is Ben Swallow. He has been released prematurely by the club.

The City boss did not want to divulge the reasons for Swallow’s departure but The Press understands the issue with the former Bristol Rovers winger was related to training ground punctuality.

Mills said: “He won’t be taking any part in the rest of the season even though he’s still contracted to us.

“I’ve got a great set of players here and we have a great spirit and belief in the dressing room and I don’t want anybody upsetting that.

“We are planning to go to Wembley twice and either you want to be a part of that or you don’t.

“It disappoints me because, if he learns things, he could have a good future in the game.

If he doesn’t, there won’t be any managers who will put up with certain antics.”

Comments(26)

haxbyycfc says...
12:15pm Fri 13 Apr 12

Best news i've heard for a while! Swallow never offered us anything we didn't have elsewhere in the squad and Mills is right to get him out. We can't afford for anyone to upset our tight-knit squad, especially someone who hasn't contributed hardly to what we have achieved so far! I'd go for same squad as Alfreton, all proved to be effective!

Report this post »

rogue84 says...
12:16pm Fri 13 Apr 12

no tears shed regarding swallow, not just for his very below par (brief) performances but if he wasn't arriving on time to training then Millsy is left with no other choice.
most of us would be sacked for persistent lateness so he should be let go as well. good decision all round to part company.
can't wait for the game tomorrow, a win leaves us within a finger tip of of confirming a top 5 place....don't fancy going to cambridge and braintree with the pressure of HAVING to get 6 pts.

Report this post »

OLD - HEAD says...
12:22pm Fri 13 Apr 12

It was a gamble signing Ben Swallow. The Manager obviously thought that he could transform him, but that has not happened. City dont need that kind of player at the club.

Report this post »

tomwillo1 says...
12:46pm Fri 13 Apr 12

Dissapointed about Swollow, thought he would have been a good signing but if he wasnt turning up to training then i suppose he deserved to get released! Big game tomorrow, Come on City!

Report this post »

ian923 says...
1:34pm Fri 13 Apr 12

This is going to be a very tough game tomorrow and we need an early goal to allow us to settle- 2 would be even better but Newport are no mugs and fighting for survival.I predict a tight game as 3 points are equally as vital to both teams.Wembley is a totally different scenario.Get behind GM and the lads tomorrow and make some noise! I Don't expect too much support travelling from Newport so let's be loud and proud. Come on City!

Report this post »

Sir Alex says...
2:18pm Fri 13 Apr 12

Maybe not many Newport tomorrow but fair play they have already sold 10,000 Wembley tickets!!!

Report this post »

duffy says...
2:21pm Fri 13 Apr 12

Sir Alex wrote:
Maybe not many Newport tomorrow but fair play they have already sold 10,000 Wembley tickets!!!
Not sure where you have got that from. The guy on their forum from the ticket office the other day said around 2000. Ok they have gone on general release since but 10,000 ?

Report this post »

duffy says...
2:23pm Fri 13 Apr 12

Ok just take another look at the Newport site. I would take that with a huge pinch of salt.

Report this post »

Sir Alex says...
2:25pm Fri 13 Apr 12

www.the-exiles.co.uk
/

Report this post »

eborexile says...
2:31pm Fri 13 Apr 12

After last Saturday and the response from some on these pages, I was reminded of the Scottish guy from Dad’s Army.
There were those who had given up on the play-offs despite the team still being in 4th place with a favourable goal difference and games in hand over most.

The doom mongers may eventually prove to be right but their attitude is not exactly conducive towards creating the confident positive atmosphere we need to maximise our chances.
I sometimes suspect that they subconsciously want to glory in the self righteous “told you so”.
Others are just trolling and won’t be too upset if we fail.
I consider such contributors as negative clap-trappers.

Me? Rather than taking after Pte. Fraser, I’m more like Cpl. Jones who wants to lend support.
“Don’t panic…don’t panic” is my mantra…but boy am I getting nervous!

I just hope the nerves don’t spill over onto the pitch as we need the team to be confident in their own abilities and not try desperate long ball tactics.

Whatever the team, we all need to be positive so let’s get behind them for every minute that remains in this compelling season.

Report this post »

rogue84 says...
2:41pm Fri 13 Apr 12

apparantly David McGurk has confirmed he's out for the remainder of the season - did think that was coming. Doig & Smith at the back for (hopefully!) our remaining 8 games!

Report this post »

JamesHinch says...
3:50pm Fri 13 Apr 12

Great news that Walker's back in training. Hopefully we can get into play-offs before FGR match so he can we can use that for his match practice before the head to heads. Wouldn't rush him back this week.

Report this post »

haxbyycfc says...
3:50pm Fri 13 Apr 12

Sir Alex wrote:
Maybe not many Newport tomorrow but fair play they have already sold 10,000 Wembley tickets!!!
Doubt that is true, especially as it was stated the 10,000 mark was reached on the first day of sales! that's like saying we sold Wembley out last time we went!

Report this post »

giggs08 says...
6:12pm Fri 13 Apr 12

Who is the legend singing York City state of mind on you tube?
Quality!

Report this post »

Head of Bomber Command says...
6:50pm Fri 13 Apr 12

We will win tomorrow if Gary puts out a side to attack with pace as at Alfreton. Good news on Jason and Gibbo, on Swallow, he sounds a bit like Nelthorpe to me, potential with nay brains.

Report this post »

duffy says...
7:35pm Fri 13 Apr 12

Let's not beat around the bush, Swallow was a stupid signing. The guy had only just been kicked out early by another conference club and we then agree to pay his wages until the end of the season. So he now sits at home pulling in I'm sure a nice wad from city while doing nothing.
Mark this one alongside Ashikodi as weird signing of the season.

Report this post »

huntingtonagitator says...
8:45pm Fri 13 Apr 12

Gary Mills is not perfect, and he'll be the first one to admit it. Not all signings are going to be up to what the gaffer thought they might be. There's no accounting for the way some of the players will or wont blend with the squad and hindsight is a great thing. I said before the season started that something special was going to happen this season, just on the basis of watching a few 'friendly' games. It was obvious to me that the players GM had brought to the club initially were the type of players that could play neat attractive football, and not your 'lump it' types. Hence the position we are in now. Yes, the winter pitches at certain grounds, injuries, illness, s***e referees, have all played a part in nearly derailing City's campaign. Other teams supporters on the BSP site have posted comments like "York don't know how to stop winning at crucial times." That is a massive compliment to Gary and the team. Barring the loss of Walker and Kerr, I think the team we put out at Alfreton is as close to our strongest that we have, with Moke now stepping up to a more mature level. I think (and sincerely hope), that Moke plays at Wembley. All that space to use his electrifying pace and trickery! God! I can't wait. This team are way superior to Foyles flops who just didn't get off the bus until the second half last time at Wembley. Loving Chuitar's rap by the way, gonna watch it again in a min, what a laugh. Come on you mighty reds!!!

Report this post »

Head of Bomber Command says...
9:08pm Fri 13 Apr 12

All that space to use his electrifying pace and trickery! God! I can't wait.............

Wembley is 115 x 75, City's pitch is 115 x 74.

Report this post »

huntingtonagitator says...
10:25pm Fri 13 Apr 12

Head of Bomber Command wrote:
All that space to use his electrifying pace and trickery! God! I can't wait.............

Wembley is 115 x 75, City's pitch is 115 x 74.
Exactly HoBC! That extra 1 yard makes all the difference! (Jeez, there's always one smartass). Forgive me for getting carried away.... I'M just bloody excited OK!

Report this post »

Head of Bomber Command says...
8:13am Sat 14 Apr 12

huntingtonagitator wrote:
Head of Bomber Command wrote:
All that space to use his electrifying pace and trickery! God! I can't wait.............

Wembley is 115 x 75, City's pitch is 115 x 74.
Exactly HoBC! That extra 1 yard makes all the difference! (Jeez, there's always one smartass). Forgive me for getting carried away.... I'M just bloody excited OK!
No problem as I forgive you. I was just pointing out it is not that much different to our pitch size really. I too am really looking fwd to the game because for once we are actually favs to win a match at Wembley.

I want a second trip there too.

Report this post »

paintitred says...
9:14am Sat 14 Apr 12

duffy wrote:
Ok just take another look at the Newport site. I would take that with a huge pinch of salt.
http://www.southwale
sargus.co.uk/news/96
49050.County_fans_sn
ap_up_10_000_Wembley
_tickets/


10k it is

Report this post »

duffy says...
9:21am Sat 14 Apr 12

It seems so. I'm just not sure how they managed to sell 7000 tickets in the four hours they had them on general sale before that tweet. All extra money for us.

Report this post »

paintitred says...
9:32am Sat 14 Apr 12

duffy wrote:
It seems so. I'm just not sure how they managed to sell 7000 tickets in the four hours they had them on general sale before that tweet. All extra money for us.
couldnt agree more. but Newport have a massive catchment area . and it is the "day trippers final" not sure how quickly the tickets flew out of our office for the 2009 F a trophy final once they went on general sale. but i doubt very much they will continue at that level of sales. I seriously think that a high % of york supporters will be waiting to see if we are in the play off finals too. not every ones budget will stretch to 2 wembley trips in 8 days. those with kids will more than likely have too choose. the play offds will take priority. If the unthinkable happens and we dont get to the 20th may final there will be a late surge for trophy tickets.

Report this post »

big boy york says...
9:38am Sat 14 Apr 12

really gutted no ones showing the final as im unable to go sky had it for years setanta did us in 09 and itv4 did last year but then again its us & newport less than 20k there would be on if luton had got there i bet

Report this post »

paintitred says...
9:58am Sat 14 Apr 12

big boy york wrote:
really gutted no ones showing the final as im unable to go sky had it for years setanta did us in 09 and itv4 did last year but then again its us & newport less than 20k there would be on if luton had got there i bet
B B Y , i understand that Newport fans are pointing to S4C to show the match. they show regular welsh premier matches. i think they showed an Wrexham F A cup match earlier this season

Report this post »

big boy york says...
4:04pm Sat 14 Apr 12

cheers for that paintitred suppose it will be the only option

Report this post »

click2find

Get Adobe Flash player
About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree