York City bus parade - thousands of fans line streets

Cheers and applause greeted the Minstermen as they arrived in St Leonard’s Place proudly holding the National League trophy on Thursday evening (May 7).

The players punched the air as the bus made its way through the city centre to the Eye of York – where they were given a hero’s welcome.

York City set off from St Leonard's place on their bus parade on Thursday (May 7) (Image: Dylan Connell)

York City arrive at the Eye of York during the bus parade on Thursday (May 7) (Image: Dylan Connell)

City co-chair Julie-Anne Uggla thanked the “unbelievable support” from fans as she arrived at the Eye of York on the team bus.

"When I asked [co-chair] Matthew [Uggla] why York City, he said it's a sleeping giant and we can take it where York wants to go – and he was right,” she said. "As we always say to you guys, this is just the beginning. This is just the beginning. Watch this space for next season."

Some of the team and Matthew Uggla were later spotted holding the National League trophy outside the Dubliner pub in Tanner's Moat.

Asked how they would be celebrating, Ed Simpson, the club’s media manager who was holding the trophy, said: “Carrying on drinking!”

Player Tyrese Sinclair, media manager Ed Simpson, co-chair Matthew Uggla and captain Callum Howe hold the National League trophy outside the Dubliner pub after the parade on Thursday (May 7) (Image: Maxine Gordon)

Fans spoke of their delight at watching their team lift the trophy – which was made possible by a 103rd minute equaliser by Josh Stones during the Rochdale match on Saturday, April 25.

“It was absolutely mental,” said Lewis Wilkinson who was at the match in Rochdale with Sam Charlton.

“I can’t even explain it,” said Sam of the atmosphere after the ball crossed the line in Rochdale. “It was mental – we’d gone from crying to absolute shock.”

York City fans before the parade with Lewis Wilkinson, second from right (Image: Dylan Connell)

Ian Hillman, Stephen Spencer and Maureen Spencer in Exhibition Square ahead of the parade (Image: Dylan Connell)

Ian Hillman along with Stephen and Maureen Spencer were among the first arrive in Exhibition Square to welcome the Minstermen.

“We’ve not been in this league for 10 years – I think we deserve it,” said Ian, 60, from Rawcliffe.

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The 103rd minute goal happened after the game was reset following a pitch invasion by Rochdale fans – when it looked certain that the side had secured the win following a goal by Emmanuel Dieseruvwe in the fifth minute of six minutes added.

“That cost them,” Ian said of the pitch invasion by Rochdale fans.

Maureen, 62, from Huntington, was watching the game in the pub when York equalised.

“There was beer all over the place,” she said. “I had a nice dress on and was thinking, please don’t pour beer on me!”

Stephen, meanwhile, watched the match at the LNER Community Stadium on a big screen with other York fans.

“It was a nice atmosphere at the stadium,” Stephen, 63, said, adding: “It’s nice that we’re celebrating – we’ve had plenty of ups and downs with York City.”

City co-chairs praised by fans

City fan Stephen Robinson, 64, from Companthorpe, listened to the match live as he was unable to make it to Rochdale.

He praised the Minstermen’s resilience in securing the late equaliser.

“The fact the players evacuated the pitch and in the last minute of play scored shows the fact that their determination came through,” he said.

York City fans Aaron Yates and Stephen Robinson before the parade (Image: Dylan Connell)

York City's bus parade crosses Lendal Bridge on Thursday (May 7) (Image: Kieran Delaney)

Fans gave plenty of praise to York City’s co-chairs, Julie-Anne and Matthew Uggla, who took over the club in 2023.

City fan Aaron Cooper said the “whole atmosphere on the pitch and off was miserable really” but “the Ugglas coming in completely changed all that”.

“It's underestimated in modern football how much ownership can play a role, but they've been amazing.

"The reason we're here today is the action and mentality since they came in and I can speak for every York fan to say we're grateful and it means a lot."

York City co-chair Julie-Anne Uggla on the parade bus on Thursday (May 7) (Image: Dylan Connell)

York City parade in front of York Minster on Thursday (May 7) (Image: Dylan Connell)

York City’s journey to the bus parade was not plain sailing.

It was confirmed last week after being initially turned down by North Yorkshire Police on safety grounds.

City of York Council later confirmed that talks between the local authority, police force and football club had a positive outcome and the parade would go ahead.

It came after more than 3,000 people signed a petition by the York City Supporters' Trust calling for a bus parade, with York's MPs and mayor also backing the call.