MANAGER Colin Walker has been given the full backing of York City's board to take the Minstermen into the next Blue Square Premier league campaign.
Sophie McGill, the club's communications and community chief, confirmed Walker would be continuing as City boss next season and said the directors were confident in his ability to take the team forward.
Walker, who replaced the sacked Billy McEwan in November, took City on a 14-match unbeaten run and, despite a wobble following defeat to Torquay United over two legs in the FA Trophy semi-final, he has still fashioned a 47 per cent win ratio in his 36 games in charge at KitKat Crescent.
While the board were disappointed with City's overall campaign, having hoped the club would build on last season's Conference play-off semi-final appearance, they have given Walker - who inherited a side in 19th place in Blue Square Premier - the chance to build his own squad in the close-season.
"From the board of directors' perspective it has been a disappointing season as our aim was to be involved in the play-offs.
"It is fair to say it has been a season of two halves. Unfortunately, the team could not quite salvage the situation after our very bad start," McGill said.
advertisement
"Since Colin Walker's appointment, we have improved significantly and despite some recent disappointing results, his record as a manager remains very good.
"I can confirm Colin Walker will be continuing his role as manager of York City next season and is already working hard to secure new additions to the team."
Walker has won 17 of his 36 games in charge, losing nine and drawing ten. Earlier this year, The Press reported how he had enjoyed the best start of any City boss.
McGill also thanked the club's supporters for getting behind the team despite this year's difficulties, but conceded the average crowds were down on City's budget ceiling of 2,500.
"Due to our lack of success, crowds were down significantly on last season. Although we chose to budget prudently on gates of 2,500, the season's average did not reach this figure. However, the FA Trophy success we enjoyed did help in some way," McGill added.
"On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the loyal fans who continue to follow the team through thick and thin and travel so many miles during the year. We hope they will continue to support us during the coming season."
Meanwhile, further donations from City fans have taken the total raised for the club's youth appeal to more than £6,000.
The club have been seeking support for their youth team, which was £10,000 short in its funding for next season.
A total of £6,350 has now been donated with the latest pledges coming from various sources, including several supporters who have sent extra money with their season ticket renewal forms.
Volunteers who work for the
club on match days have also stumped up along with stewards, who have donated their wages to the fund.
A further £250 was raised by a bucket collection at Monday's North Yorkshire Under-16s Cup final at KitKat Crescent.
The club have already committed themselves to the youth team for next season and up to eight new trainees are expected to join the club on two-year programmes in the next couple of weeks.
Four of the six players who have completed their apprenticeships have been offered professional contracts and they are expected to make a decision about signing in the next few days.
Supporters wishing to make donations can forward cheques to the club payable to YCFC Ltd or phone the club on 0870 777 1922 for further details.
The board of directors'have just made another grave mistake by keeping Walker on as Manager.
In December he was "stop gap" and when appointed full time it was because he was the cheap option.
Now we have crowds below expectations 2500 because City are a very poor side in a very poor league and I fear Walker will not be able to change a thing as there is no cash to spend and no fans to add to the kitty, so just how do the Board expect Colin Walker to take York out of this league on brass washers.
Sorry Colin your hearts in the right place but I'm affraid YCFC won't be this time next year.
The board of directors'have just made another grave mistake by keeping Walker on as Manager.
In December he was "stop gap" and when appointed full time it was because he was the cheap option.
Now we have crowds below expectations 2500 because City are a very poor side in a very poor league and I fear Walker will not be able to change a thing as there is no cash to spend and no fans to add to the kitty, so just how do the Board expect Colin Walker to take York out of this league on brass washers.
Sorry Colin your hearts in the right place but I'm affraid YCFC won't be this time next year.
I think Col was mostly correct on which players to keep and which to release. He has indicated that he wants to bring players in quickly also.
We obviously need a keeper. People seem to be going on about defenders but i think the back four of Purkiss, Parslow, TY and McWilliams sounds good on paper. We also have the experience of Kelly and Robo in the squad. To me the hole in the side has been left in midfield. Wroe will be a regular next season but we haven't got anyone to play alongside him. Beadle looked alright but he is also a defender and the only decent game Rusk has had was against Aldershot at right wing back.
Another winger will be needed also - preferably right footed, and possibly another striker. Strengthen these areas with a squad that already has talent and we will have a decent shout for the playoffs.
I think Col was mostly correct on which players to keep and which to release. He has indicated that he wants to bring players in quickly also.
We obviously need a keeper. People seem to be going on about defenders but i think the back four of Purkiss, Parslow, TY and McWilliams sounds good on paper. We also have the experience of Kelly and Robo in the squad. To me the hole in the side has been left in midfield. Wroe will be a regular next season but we haven't got anyone to play alongside him. Beadle looked alright but he is also a defender and the only decent game Rusk has had was against Aldershot at right wing back.
Another winger will be needed also - preferably right footed, and possibly another striker. Strengthen these areas with a squad that already has talent and we will have a decent shout for the playoffs.
[quote][bold]dave[/bold] wrote:
I think Col was mostly correct on which players to keep and which to release. He has indicated that he wants to bring players in quickly also.
We obviously need a keeper. People seem to be going on about defenders but i think the back four of Purkiss, Parslow, TY and McWilliams sounds good on paper. We also have the experience of Kelly and Robo in the squad. To me the hole in the side has been left in midfield. Wroe will be a regular next season but we haven't got anyone to play alongside him. Beadle looked alright but he is also a defender and the only decent game Rusk has had was against Aldershot at right wing back.
Another winger will be needed also - preferably right footed, and possibly another striker. Strengthen these areas with a squad that already has talent and we will have a decent shout for the playoffs. [/quote] I don't think your to far off with that summery
dave wrote:
I think Col was mostly correct on which players to keep and which to release. He has indicated that he wants to bring players in quickly also.
We obviously need a keeper. People seem to be going on about defenders but i think the back four of Purkiss, Parslow, TY and McWilliams sounds good on paper. We also have the experience of Kelly and Robo in the squad. To me the hole in the side has been left in midfield. Wroe will be a regular next season but we haven't got anyone to play alongside him. Beadle looked alright but he is also a defender and the only decent game Rusk has had was against Aldershot at right wing back.
Another winger will be needed also - preferably right footed, and possibly another striker. Strengthen these areas with a squad that already has talent and we will have a decent shout for the playoffs.
Posted by: b wellings, York on 8:53pm Thu 1 May 08
[quote][bold]tfr[/bold] wrote:
The board of directors'have just made another grave mistake by keeping Walker on as Manager.
In December he was "stop gap" and when appointed full time it was because he was the cheap option.
Now we have crowds below expectations 2500 because City are a very poor side in a very poor league and I fear Walker will not be able to change a thing as there is no cash to spend and no fans to add to the kitty, so just how do the Board expect Colin Walker to take York out of this league on brass washers.
Sorry Colin your hearts in the right place but I'm affraid YCFC won't be this time next year. [/quote] Always the eternal optimist Eh!!!
tfr wrote:
The board of directors'have just made another grave mistake by keeping Walker on as Manager.
In December he was "stop gap" and when appointed full time it was because he was the cheap option.
Now we have crowds below expectations 2500 because City are a very poor side in a very poor league and I fear Walker will not be able to change a thing as there is no cash to spend and no fans to add to the kitty, so just how do the Board expect Colin Walker to take York out of this league on brass washers.
Sorry Colin your hearts in the right place but I'm affraid YCFC won't be this time next year.
tfr,
You say it's a mistake to appoint Walker and that with no cash available there's nothing he can do. So exactly what difference would a different manager make?
Are they supposed to appoint a manager who also funds the first-team?
Colin Walker has earned the right for a proper crack at the job, which requires a full summer. He should be judged at Christmas 2008,
tfr,
You say it's a mistake to appoint Walker and that with no cash available there's nothing he can do. So exactly what difference would a different manager make?
Are they supposed to appoint a manager who also funds the first-team?
Colin Walker has earned the right for a proper crack at the job, which requires a full summer. He should be judged at Christmas 2008,
Posted by: walwynwasagenius, york on 10:09am Fri 2 May 08
[quote][bold]lmp[/bold] wrote:
tfr, You say it's a mistake to appoint Walker and that with no cash available there's nothing he can do. So exactly what difference would a different manager make? Are they supposed to appoint a manager who also funds the first-team? Colin Walker has earned the right for a proper crack at the job, which requires a full summer. He should be judged at Christmas 2008,[/quote] IMO Imp,after the poor end of season run,the end of October should be enough to see whether or not CW can "hack it?"
His early dealings in the transfer/loan market in truth,do NOT fill me with an abundance of confidence!If he cannot turn the club round?starting a NEW manager in November might still give him the time to push York towards the playoffs
lmp wrote:
tfr, You say it's a mistake to appoint Walker and that with no cash available there's nothing he can do. So exactly what difference would a different manager make? Are they supposed to appoint a manager who also funds the first-team? Colin Walker has earned the right for a proper crack at the job, which requires a full summer. He should be judged at Christmas 2008,
IMO Imp,after the poor end of season run,the end of October should be enough to see whether or not CW can "hack it?"
His early dealings in the transfer/loan market in truth,do NOT fill me with an abundance of confidence!If he cannot turn the club round?starting a NEW manager in November might still give him the time to push York towards the playoffs
Posted by: Big man, Garforth on 12:21pm Fri 2 May 08
Hopefully Colin will think 95 points is the minimum to win the league and 80 points is a minimum for the playoffs and will only sign players caperble of playing in a team that wins 70% of its games in this division.
Hopefully Colin will think 95 points is the minimum to win the league and 80 points is a minimum for the playoffs and will only sign players caperble of playing in a team that wins 70% of its games in this division.
Posted by: AcombLiam, Acomb, York on 5:40pm Fri 2 May 08
47% win ratio is not going to get us into the play-offs so it loks like we will be a poor mid table side next season.
Well done for Colin for getting the job but i would have like to have seen us have a more experienced manager dealing with the first team.
47% win ratio is not going to get us into the play-offs so it loks like we will be a poor mid table side next season.
Well done for Colin for getting the job but i would have like to have seen us have a more experienced manager dealing with the first team.
Posted by: walwynwasagenius, york on 6:06am Sat 3 May 08
[quote][bold]barringtondeparkershire[/bold] wrote:
Thanks Houch, I wondered the same, sounds like he makes his opinions based onlistening to my commentaries![/quote] the ALL seeing eye boys?
barringtondeparkershire wrote:
Thanks Houch, I wondered the same, sounds like he makes his opinions based onlistening to my commentaries!
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
Print
Email this
Comment
