YORK’S footballing heroes are to be written into the annals of British history, after the city’s MP praised them in the House of Commons.

Hugh Bayley has tabled a motion in Parliament, congratulating York City on reaching the FA Trophy Final – and urging the city’s residents to get behind the team.

The Minstermen saw off AFC Telford last weekend to set up a showdown with Stevenage on May 9, and secure only the club’s second ever game at Wembley Stadium.

Mr Bayley, Labour MP since 1992 – a year before the club’s previous Wembley appearance, said he was thrilled by the team’s success, and had submitted an Early Day Motion to Parliament, celebrating the event.

The motion, which will be open to other MPs to sign, states: “This House congratulates York City Football Club on qualifying for the FA Challenge Trophy final on May 9, and recognises that this is their first visit to the new Wembley Stadium; notes that this provides an excellent opportunity for the football club to represent the city of York by showcasing its sporting talents and the good nature of the supporters; calls upon the citizens of York to show their support and appreciation for the players and coaching staff; and wishes the team success in the final.”

Mr Bayley told The Press: “This is a brilliant achievement. York City deserve some silverware. They have shown that the team is going places and, like everyone else, I am rooting for them to win at Wembley.”

Aside from Mr Bayley, the motion has also secured cross-party support from other MPs around the region, including Selby’s John Grogan, Ryedale’s John Greenway and Harrogate and Knaresborough’s Phil Willis.

Mr Willis said: “After years in the doldrums and without success, the fact that York City have reached a Wembley final is brilliant news for the city and indeed for the whole of the York region.”

The Liberal Democrats’ York-born Treasury spokesman Vince Cable, who followed the club as a boy, said he too would sign the motion.

York City chairman Jason McGill said: “We are honoured and delighted that York City’s great achievement of reaching the FA Trophy Final is being recognised in the House of Commons.

“Hugh Bayley has been very supportive of York City and we really appreciate his efforts to rally support for the club in this way. We are extremely excited about the prospect of playing at the new Wembley and we really hope the people of York and North Yorkshire will join us for an amazing day at the home of English football.”

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