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Paddy’s proper pride in York City (From York Press)
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Paddy McLaughlin shines in York City’s glorious campaign
12:00pm Wednesday 30th May 2012 in News
By Dave Flett, Sports reporter
Paddy McLaughlin, centre, joins in the celebrations during York City’s triumphant open-top bus tour of the city centre
YORK City midfielder Paddy McLaughlin has insisted that being dropped for the Blue Square Bet Premier final against Luton Town did not tarnish an “unbelievable” season for him.
McLaughlin was a shock omission from Gary Mills’ Wembley team against the Hatters with only goalkeeper Michael Ingham and James Meredith having featured in as many games as the Northern Ireland Under-21 international during the 2011/12 campaign.
With the dead rubber last game of the regular season against Forest Green the only exception, McLaughlin also started 11 of the club’s 12 matches prior to the promotion decider, including the 2-0 FA Trophy final victory over Newport at the hallowed home of English football.
Displaying a maturity that belies his 21 years, though, the former Newcastle United reserve accepted his manager’s decision with grace, saying: “The gaffer came to me on the morning of the game and explained why I wasn’t in the team and stuff so fair play to him for that.
“It was obviously a disappointment because everybody wants to play as many games as possible and start every one but it was just one of those things. I wasn’t in the team that the gaffer picked for that particular game and had to take that on the chin.
“I suppose it worked in the end because we got the victory but I played in the majority of games and was just unlucky to miss out on that one. It won’t spoil an unbelievable season for me though.”
McLaughlin is now concentrating on looking forward and, having arrived at Bootham Crescent last summer from the Toon Army without a senior game under his belt, is hungry for more success with the Minstermen.
He said: “I won the Northumberland Senior Cup for Newcastle reserves in front of maybe a thousand people or something like that a year ago. So to end the last season at Wembley, in front of 20,000 for one final and then 40,000 for another, is on a different level.
“It’s a different type of football. It means a lot more and I feel like I am a proper professional footballer now.
“It’s been a dream first season and, hopefully, there’s a lot more to come. If I could have 15 or 20 seasons like the last one, it would be absolutely unbelievable.
“There’s the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and all sorts to go for next season. I wouldn’t mind drawing Newcastle in the League Cup or, better still, Manchester United because I’m a big fan so fingers crossed and let’s hope for the best.”
McLaughlin finished his maiden first-team campaign as City’s third top scorer on 13 goals and was also second in the assists table – just one behind Ashley Chambers.
Commenting on his progress during 2011/12, the former Magpie added: “I set out to achieve what I have done because I wanted to play as many games as possible and set my sights on double figures for goals.
“But words can’t really describe how it feels to do that and come away with two winners’ medals. That exceeded my expectations.”
For the majority of the season, McLaughlin was also the mainstay of a midfield triumvirate that had to adapt following the departure of Andre Boucaud for Luton and Scott Kerr’s knee ligament injury.
The likes of defensive trio Meredith, Lanre Oyebanjo and Dan Parslow were all utilised alongside McLaughlin at different times and, talking about how City’s engine room evolved, the latter said: “Myself, Boucs and Kerry started the season and the understanding we had was unbelievable and something I have never experienced.
“After Boucs left and Kerry got his injury, the other players like Lanre, Mez and Pars all slotted in well and they are an easy set of lads to play with. We all get on well and know our strengths and weaknesses.”
McLaughlin also believes City’s attractive style of play can help them to compete at the top end of League Two next season.
He said: “We like to get the ball down and pass and I think we will thrive the higher we play because the standard of football gets better as you go up through the leagues.
“We have a great squad with a great team spirit and I don’t see why we can’t get out of the next league because Stevenage and Crawley have done it so why not us?”
• Goal aces Jason Walker and Matty Blair were York City’s winners are the Non-League Paper’s National Game Awards in association with VIPER10 Sportswear.
Walker’s sensational overhead kick against Grimsby was the Premier Sports Goal of the Season, while Blair won Sportsbeat Young Player of the Year.
Comments(33)
iandwightbenton
says...
12:50pm Wed 30 May 12
Great player
Great guy
Great hunger
Just what we need !
Sir Alex
says...
12:52pm Wed 30 May 12
Shock news - Mark Sertori is part of the England team going to Euro 2012!!!
Well done mate - good work
(masseure!)
The Legend Of Keith
says...
12:52pm Wed 30 May 12
Another season of the same and you'll find a very bright future ahead of you at a much higher level Paddy lad!
COYR.
tips
says...
12:52pm Wed 30 May 12
Well done City on a fabulous season.
tommyinyork
says...
1:44pm Wed 30 May 12
RooBeck
says...
1:46pm Wed 30 May 12
PhilTopping
says...
1:52pm Wed 30 May 12
tommyinyork wrote:I'm still waiting for Barnes-Homer to join. Oh... and Bridge-Wilkinson. Give it a rest.
Michael Coulson to join York City
YCFC115
says...
1:57pm Wed 30 May 12
tommyinyork
says...
2:14pm Wed 30 May 12
PhilTopping wrote:Ok ring radio humberside, they had it on their sports news.
tommyinyork wrote:I'm still waiting for Barnes-Homer to join. Oh... and Bridge-Wilkinson. Give it a rest.
Michael Coulson to join York City
The Legend Of Keith
says...
2:55pm Wed 30 May 12
COYR.
paintitred
says...
3:05pm Wed 30 May 12
The Legend Of Keith wrote:Free Transfer he is 24 and a free agent.
IF we are signing him, do you know if it will be for a fee or for free?
COYR.
ycfc4ever
says...
4:47pm Wed 30 May 12
Last year GM sorted out all his team before going on holiday.. Anyone know when he goes? All this waiting is murder!!
monkey2nuts
says...
5:26pm Wed 30 May 12
duffy
says...
6:02pm Wed 30 May 12
The Legend Of Keith wrote:Very much just a rumour on local radio just now. Why do posters state a player is signing based purely on a sound bite.
IF we are signing him, do you know if it will be for a fee or for free?
COYR.
paddymacwakey
says...
7:35pm Wed 30 May 12
duffy
says...
8:50pm Wed 30 May 12
Stracqualursi
says...
9:27pm Wed 30 May 12
daveymcgurk
says...
9:45pm Wed 30 May 12
paddymacwakey wrote:totally agree with paddy,coulson wouldnt make the bench with our current squad,so to say he is better than reed is crazy!
hope these rumours about michael coulson are false.2 or 3 goals a season wont strengthen our team.absolutely,no better than jamie reed,end of.
for what reed lacks in technical ability he more than makes up in determination!
find me a striker with a better goals from the bench ratio in bsp or lg2????
im affraid its a step backwards if we start signing lesser players than we already have!
SIMPLES.
duffy
says...
10:01pm Wed 30 May 12
daveymcgurk wrote:He was offered a new two year contract on by all account very good terms by Grimsby for a reason, and it's not because the management don't know what they are doing.Much as I like Reed for his determination he does not have the technical ability to cut it at league two, in my opinion Coulson does.
paddymacwakey wrote:totally agree with paddy,coulson wouldnt make the bench with our current squad,so to say he is better than reed is crazy!
hope these rumours about michael coulson are false.2 or 3 goals a season wont strengthen our team.absolutely,no better than jamie reed,end of.
for what reed lacks in technical ability he more than makes up in determination!
find me a striker with a better goals from the bench ratio in bsp or lg2????
im affraid its a step backwards if we start signing lesser players than we already have!
SIMPLES.
However as always just my opinion.
duffy
says...
10:25pm Wed 30 May 12
paddymacwakey wrote:They don't even play in the same position. Reed is a centre forward while Coulson is a midfielder/ winger.
hope these rumours about michael coulson are false.2 or 3 goals a season wont strengthen our team.absolutely,no better than jamie reed,end of.
Al-YCFC
says...
10:38pm Wed 30 May 12
DQ Sussex
says...
10:53pm Wed 30 May 12
JamesHinch
says...
8:37am Thu 31 May 12
IntelXXX
says...
10:30am Thu 31 May 12
JamesHinch wrote:Millsy will be around next season at York no sweat. After the success of this season he has a point to prove and if he gets us to the Play Offs or promoted there will be other clubs sniffing around without a doubt.......Inevitab
I am getting worried about the manager merrygoround that is starting. With successful England based managers seemingly moving up to better jobs - will it mean at some point a L1 club coming in for Millsy?
ly I think he would like to manage Forest or Derby in the future..............
..........On another note the Mrs came home last night from work and passed a comment when were having some tea that "It looks like we will be sponsoring York City next season" I nearly swallowed by fork. Anyway not allowed to disclose any information as its still being finalised but they York based. The majority won't of heard much about them though ;-)
DQ Sussex
says...
10:03pm Thu 31 May 12
dangermoose
says...
10:19pm Thu 31 May 12
dangermoose
says...
10:20pm Thu 31 May 12
IntelXXX wrote:Benedon Health Care I've heard?
JamesHinch wrote:Millsy will be around next season at York no sweat. After the success of this season he has a point to prove and if he gets us to the Play Offs or promoted there will be other clubs sniffing around without a doubt.......Inevitab
I am getting worried about the manager merrygoround that is starting. With successful England based managers seemingly moving up to better jobs - will it mean at some point a L1 club coming in for Millsy?
ly I think he would like to manage Forest or Derby in the future..............
..........On another note the Mrs came home last night from work and passed a comment when were having some tea that "It looks like we will be sponsoring York City next season" I nearly swallowed by fork. Anyway not allowed to disclose any information as its still being finalised but they York based. The majority won't of heard much about them though ;-)
EcclesMustScore
says...
11:40pm Thu 31 May 12
IntelXXX wrote:My worry is that the continued failings of Forest will bring about a move for Millsy that he won't be able to resist - I'll be eyeing Forest's results with nervousness and hope that they can turn their fortunes around without him.
JamesHinch wrote: I am getting worried about the manager merrygoround that is starting. With successful England based managers seemingly moving up to better jobs - will it mean at some point a L1 club coming in for Millsy?Millsy will be around next season at York no sweat. After the success of this season he has a point to prove and if he gets us to the Play Offs or promoted there will be other clubs sniffing around without a doubt.......Inevitab ly I think he would like to manage Forest or Derby in the future.............. ..........On another note the Mrs came home last night from work and passed a comment when were having some tea that "It looks like we will be sponsoring York City next season" I nearly swallowed by fork. Anyway not allowed to disclose any information as its still being finalised but they York based. The majority won't of heard much about them though ;-)
duffy
says...
7:59am Fri 1 Jun 12
EcclesMustScore wrote:If we are successful next season he will probably be off to a bigger club. That's just the way it goes and he should leave with our blessing and thanks.
IntelXXX wrote:My worry is that the continued failings of Forest will bring about a move for Millsy that he won't be able to resist - I'll be eyeing Forest's results with nervousness and hope that they can turn their fortunes around without him.
JamesHinch wrote: I am getting worried about the manager merrygoround that is starting. With successful England based managers seemingly moving up to better jobs - will it mean at some point a L1 club coming in for Millsy?Millsy will be around next season at York no sweat. After the success of this season he has a point to prove and if he gets us to the Play Offs or promoted there will be other clubs sniffing around without a doubt.......Inevitab ly I think he would like to manage Forest or Derby in the future.............. ..........On another note the Mrs came home last night from work and passed a comment when were having some tea that "It looks like we will be sponsoring York City next season" I nearly swallowed by fork. Anyway not allowed to disclose any information as its still being finalised but they York based. The majority won't of heard much about them though ;-)
YoRkIe59
says...
11:57am Fri 1 Jun 12
Tug job
says...
5:57pm Fri 1 Jun 12
YoRkIe59 wrote:Easy, GM would sign him up and play him as cover for Mez!
Regarding Gm,s trip to Barcelona to sign Messi , i think he needs to look at what would he be like in the walker role,middle of the front three,my lad tells me Messi is right sided front player well i cant see him wanting to warm the bench playing a cameo 15 20 minute substitute role coming on for matty Blair to rest up a little,what do people think could we squeeze him in somewhere?.
RooBeck
says...
7:34pm Fri 1 Jun 12
rogue84 says...
12:30pm Wed 30 May 12
however, he came on he helped close the game out with Reedy and there's no doubt he contributed to the whole promotion party! his goal at bath away was particularly vital.