YORK City icon Jamie Reed reflected on the earlier and later days of his Minstermen career, with the striker reminiscing on the impact he made at the football club.

In part two of Reed’s exclusive sit-down with the Press, Reed talks on his time with the football club barring the incredible season where the striker was part of that York squad who lifted both the Isuzu FA Trophy and the play-off trophy after gaining promotion back into the English Football League.

Reed speaks on colliding with former bosses Gary Mills and Nigel Worthington, finding form for the club, playing at Bootham Crescent and what led to his departure in 2013.

“I think going to York, I was probably seen as someone with a lot to prove,” Reed told the Press.

“It was a step up for me, but I wouldn’t say there was pressure but the pressure was more on myself and wanting to perform, or the gaffer expecting me to perform.

“It was tough, it was probably one of my biggest downfalls to be honest with you.

“I didn’t really appreciate York for what it was whilst I was there, I love going back now, with my family and with my kids, I love going back and spending time up there.

“We’ve got friends there that we see quite regularly and we still go up for games, it’s a city that we like going to.

“But when I was there I didn’t really appreciate it, I was always looking forward to going home.

“Whether if that was on a Saturday going home after a game, on a Tuesday after training, I was always trying to get back.

“To be honest, and if you ask Gary Mills the same question we would probably agree over this, I think I may have not really settled properly.

“There were two different seasons, one where I was actually there and one where I was leaving, and having to deal with Nigel Worthington in the meantime.

“Looking back, Gary Mills was a great manager for me, he knew exactly how to get the best out of me and the squad for that matter.

“When I was there, I felt like I was constantly fighting with him, it was a constant battle between minds because I always had a strong personality and wanted to play.

“I felt like every time I scored it was because I was getting one over on him, but it was what he wanted, for me to score four goals every game!

“It was frustrating at the time, it was sort of a mental battle between us.

“Looking back now, I know that the experience was him getting the best out of me and trying to get the best out of me, I would go as far to say as he is one of the best managers I have played under, and there has been a lot.”

Reed had many moments throughout this York career that he looks back upon with a smile, but there was one memory that stood out to the former City stalwart.

“My favourite memory was beating Wrexham at the Racecourse, because it meant so much to me.

“The lead up to that game, we played Bath at home on the Tuesday night and I came on and scored, so I knew that I was going to start at Wrexham because I had taken my opportunity.

“From the Tuesday through to the Saturday it was just a buzz, because Wrexham is where I started, I just couldn’t wait for the game.

“For us to go there, for me to score and us to win, that’s my favourite memory.

“I scored two goals in a week and topped it off by beating Wrexham, and I do have a strong affinity with Wrexham as well with them being my first club.

“Looking past the trophies, but my favourite memory individually, that is probably it.”

Reed was also fortunate enough to play at City’s Bootham Crescent, the historic stadium where York played their football for 89 brilliant years.

But the stadium didn’t just provide incredible memories for York players and fans alike, but even those visiting the football club on their travels, with Reed reflecting on his memories of Bootham Crescent.

“People talk to me about it now, people that aren’t just York fans, people who are following whoever they support in a FA Cup game or a league cup game.

“It’s a strange one really, for such a what you class as a lower league club, there’s a lot of people with such a fond memory of their time going to York.

“Whether if it was the link to the stadium or the link to the City, it’s quite strange how any time it gets brought up that I played for York or whatever the conversation, someone tends to have a memory of it within the club that they support.

“Bootham Crescent just had something special about it, and the new stadium is nice and all, I wish I had had the chance to play there.

“But there is just something special about Bootham Crescent.”

Reed’s time with City came to an end in 2013, with the striker initially leaving for Cambridge United on-loan before exiting the club permanently upon the expiration of his contract.

It was a tough season for Reed on a personal level, with an early injury hampering his opportunities, with the striker’s personal relationship with former boss Worthington being a factor in his departure.

“I wasn’t playing, it was a bit of a tough season was that one.

“I got injured in the last game of pre-season after what I thought was a really good pre-season for me, I scored a really good goal against Gateshead, I scored against whoever it was we played before that and got injured against Sunderland.

“I came off the pitch at Gateshead and the gaffer told me that I was flying, he brought me on in the second-half of the game against Sunderland and I tore my hamstring, so I was out then until the end of September.

“I just couldn’t get it right, I started against Bradford and was just nowhere near, I got dragged off at about 55 minutes.

“I was nowhere near to getting into the side, I came on in the FA Cup game and it started to kick off again for me.

“I played in the league, scored, but because of the start of the season the other players were ahead of me.

“I just couldn’t get a foot in on the season, it got to January and my agent said that Cambridge was an option, did I want to go?

“He phoned me and asked if I wanted to go, but said that I didn’t have to, and then both Wrexham and Kidderminster came in and put bids in.

“I nearly signed for Kidderminster but it didn’t go through, I think they pulled out on the day I was going to sign but I can’t remember the specifics of it.

“Cambridge wanted me in on loan and I didn’t particularly want to leave, so I felt that it was a good option to get me flying again.

“I went down there and played for them, but the gaffer got sacked whilst I was down there.

“I came back after two months and had Nigel Worthington to deal with.”