'Pure ecstasy' - York and a Saturday that may never be beaten

• Published2 hours ago
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David Ward has covered York City for 12 years. Here he discusses his emotions before, during and after the Minstermen's dramatic draw in the National League title decider at Rochdale, as his BBC Radio York commentary for Josh Stones' promotion-winning goal has gone viral.

I have been a York City supporter for nearly 40 years. If that has taught me one thing, it is that disappointment is usually just around the corner.

But looking ahead to Saturday's game, despite how much was riding on it, I was always confident we would get the job done.

I honestly felt our side was the stronger of the two. We were definitely in better form.

After a slow start to the campaign, during which Rochdale could have opened up a significant points margin, we pulled ourselves back to finally be top coming down the final straight.

As it was, Rochdale needed a goal with the final kick against Braintree Town just the week before to take it to this final day showdown.

City had thought they had it won as they all watched the game on defender Morgan Williams' mobile phone, waiting for the referee to blow the final whistle before Rochdale grabbed a 99th-minute winner.

Could City get over the obvious disappointment to lift themselves for this winner-takes-all scenario? You bet they could.

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The never-say-die attitude manifested by manager Stuart Maynard, who himself only came to the club four games into the season, is unsurpassed.

I always thought the trip to Rochdale could be dramatic. We just didn't expect it to be like this.

I say 'we' because the mood at the club has changed completely since Matt and Julie-Anne Uggla's investment three years ago.

Before there was a disconnect between supporters, the local media, and those in charge. Now, it is the complete opposite. Every York supporter you speak to will tell you, "We have our club back".

Before their arrival there was the embarrassment of back-to-back relegations to National League North and regional football.

Every game felt like a home game because of the ridiculous following City continued to take with them.

Even despite regular defeats against the likes of Curzon Ashton in front of just 300 home fans, or losing and being outplayed by the likes of Leamington, Kettering and Bradford Park Avenue, the City faithful stayed with them.

Now we play in front of over 8,000 supporters at the LNER Community Stadium, take four-figure followings up and down the country every week, and score goals as if they are going out of fashion.

It has been a remarkable season. Not many people thought we could beat the 96 points we got last year, but boy, we did.

Image source, PA Media

Going into the final game, we were sitting on a ridiculous 107 points and had scored 113 goals – but that still was not enough to guarantee promotion from this crazy division. Rochdale were just two points behind.

The scenario was clear: City needed only a draw to win the title and be promoted, Rochdale needed to win.

With York having had the best chances and goalkeeper Harrison Male not being called into action at any point, the game headed into additional time.

No-one had any idea about how many minutes were still to play. We were told the fourth official had been asked not to put up the board as the stewards and police did not want a pitch invasion. In the end, they got three!

Rochdale thought they had done it - we all thought they had done it - when Emmanuel Dieseruvwe nodded in, in the 94th minute.

It felt like heartbreak in the commentary box as the Rochdale fans flooded on to the pitch, holding up play for five minutes, but importantly giving Maynard time to gather his players together and come up with a plan on how they would try to equalise.

Well, just over a minute later, all hail Josh Stones and the never-say-die attitude of this York City side.

During commentary, I said "this side always score" and so they did for a 41st match in succession. Cue pandemonium from us in the commentary box and another pitch invasion, this time from those in red on the far side of the ground.

And then it is a blur – pure ecstasy. This time we knew there was no time left for Rochdale. They kick-off and the referee blows for full-time. Just jubilation, no-one quite able to believe what they had just witnessed.

But take a moment to think about the emotions of the Rochdale manager Jim McNulty.

For a few seconds he thought the referee had blown for full-time meaning his side were champions, whereas in fact he was awarding City a goal.

He walked on to the pitch with his arms in the air, only to slowly realise what had happened, and those hands were suddenly on his head in disbelief and disappointment as he stood motionless.

It was only when we got back in the car to head home, over two-and-a-half-hours after the final whistle, that I got to listen back to the commentary on Sports Report.

I had no idea what I had said in those moments. You cannot plan for things like this.

Since then my phone has not stopped pinging. As one of my cousins said to me, "If the teenage David with his pocket radio could see this. Just brilliant."

To get to do this job with my mate and radio summariser Iain Dunn, with these players and our club, just magic.

I was at Old Trafford in 1995 when City beat Manchester United in the League Cup, at Goodison Park a year later when we knocked Everton out of the same competition over two legs, and at each of York's six Wembley appearances - but nothing matches the drama I witnessed at the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday.

It is a day I, and everyone associated with York City Football Club, will never forget.

In fact, we may as well cancel football now. How will Saturday ever be beaten?

Related topics

• York City
• Football
• National League

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