YORK City have revealed that live streams from last season attracted more than 44,000 unique viewers and raised more than £24,000.

With all but a few matches played behind closed doors during the truncated 2020/21 National League North season, City - like many other clubs - turned to digital means to keep fans engaged and able to watch the action live.

And the club are celebrating a successful transition to web-based activity, having also logged record website traffic and online sales.

City streamed five league games last term on their YouTube streaming service, with supporters encouraged to contribute to the 'virtual turnstile' on the club’s online store, which allowed supporters to donate money they would have spent at an in-person matchday - the price of a pie and a pint, for example.

Other digital ventures include the refresh of the club website and online store. The website has received more than 257,000 users and 1.3million page views in the past nine months – more traffic than any other nine-month period – with club partners collecting more than 154,000 website clicks over the same period.

Merchandise sales have increased by 161 per cent and orders by 327 per cent year over year. Sales of the 2020/21 season replica kit, 'farewell Bootham Crescent' memorabilia, face coverings and match programmes all contributed, while limited-edition bottles of a Farewell Bootham Crescent gin (in collaboration with York Gin) sold out in just 30 minutes.

Commercial manager Chris Pegg commented: “The last year has brought York City Football Club changes and challenges, and while it’s certainly been a difficult time for our fans, our partners and our city, there’s now a world of opportunity with the opening of the LNER Community Stadium.”

“There is always room for improvement - ways to make things better, to work smarter and to see our commercial operations and fan engagement from a new perspective. The new stadium is a perfect catalyst for this, and the club welcomes any and every commercial conversation.”

For information on commercial opportunities at the LNER Community Stadium, see the club's sponsorship opportunities or email commercial@yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk.