A NEW era will dawn for York City at Carlisle United with Minstermen fans hoping a change in management will coincide with a change in opening day fortunes.

City have not tasted victory away from home on the first day of the new season in almost 20 years.

The last time City tasted success on the first day on their travels came in 1986, when the Minstermen beat Darlington 3-1 at Feethams.

The City goalscorers that day were Tony Canham, Derek Hood and Gary Ford.

City's recent opening-day record - both home and away - provides few crumbs of comfort.

The Minstermen have won just one of their previous nine opening day fixtures and have yet to win on the season's first day in this Millennium.

Their only win in those nine outings came in 1999 when City, then bossed by Neil Thompson, beat Swansea City 1-0 at Bootham Crescent.

The goal was notched by midfielder Mark Atkins, one of two he bagged in ten League appearances for the Minstermen before he left the club.

Their only other opening-day victory in the last ten years came a decade ago when, coincidentally, Swansea were again conquered 2-1 at Bootham Crescent, this time the marksman being Paul Barnes with a first-day brace.


2002-2003: DREW 1-1 Macclesfield (away)
2001-2002: LOST 1-0 Rushden & Diamonds (home)
2000-2001: LOST 4-1 Chesterfield (away)
1999-2000: WON 1-0 Swansea (home)
1998-1999: LOST 3-0 Preston North End (away)
1997-1998: LOST 3-1 Oldham (away)
1996-1997: LOST 2-1 Plymouth (away)
1995-1996: DREW 2-2 Brentford (home)
1994-1995: LOST 2-1 Crewe Alexandra (home)
1993-1994: WON 2-1 Swansea City (home)