YORK City's media officer Dan Simmonite has spoken of his pride at being involved at such a momentous time for the club - and the challenges he has faced.

A lifelong City fan, Dan took up his current role in 2019. Two years on, his efforts have been thrust into the limelight as he plays a leading role in designing the 'Farewell, Bootham Crescent' events and memorabilia.

The Minstermen are in the midst of making their long-awaited move from their home ground since 1932, to which all associated with York wish to say goodbye.

And yet, this once-in-a-lifetime occurrence has coincided with another, the pandemic wrought by the novel coronavirus.

Because of the measures in place to combat the spread of the virus, the events have had to be redesigned at short notice.

Most regrettably of all, precious few fans have been able to be there.

Last week saw the final switch-off of the floodlights, a few days after two teams of supporters played each other on the pitch - both events that struck a lovely note.

"As a supporter, I was really pleased to be able to help at this time because it's such a pivotal time in history for the club. I was just thrilled to be involved," Dan said. "Covid has obviously taken a big hit on plans we did have for farewell events. I think everyone at the club would have loved to see a full house, whether that be a game or just the floodlights.

"We would love nothing more than to have a full set of fans here.

"The stadium move has been a long time coming and it just so happens that York City are moving stadium in the middle of a global pandemic.

"Obviously we've tried to do the best we can - you look at the 'Farewell, Bootham Crescent' video. It has a million views - very pleased and proud with that.

"We managed to get supporters at the last competitive game here. That was a big thing.

"It was just a shame we couldn't get a full capacity stadium for a farewell."

He continued: "With anything at the moment, you have a plan of what you want to do, but there are so many hoops you've got to jump through to put something on.

"We've done, I think, the best possible under the current circumstances, getting in as many people as we can, ending with supporters on the pitch and the floodlight switch-on with supporters outside.

"I think it's been a good send-off considering we're in a global pandemic."

The play-on-the-pitch event also raised £4,000 for the York Teaching Hospital Charity and York City Academy.

"We wanted to end this time in the right way and that's with supporters on the pitch, I think," Dan commented. "To do it raising money for a good cause like the local hospital, who we've had and will continue to have a really good relationship with in the time we've been here, that's something I was really pleased about.

"Raising money for the academy as well - we could see the next Ben Godfrey, the next Richard Cresswell or Jonathan Greening.

"That's all down to the supporters. Supporters are the lifeblood of this club and they're the reason we're here, why I'm in a job, why you're in a job. It's all because of the supporters.

"We wanted to end the period with them on the pitch.

"It was a fantastic day as well - perfect, really. Everyone enjoyed themselves. There were a few tired limbs afterwards."