Brass has ha'pennies to rub

together

York City v Darlington

Nationwide Division Three

Tuesday September 16th 2003, 7.45pm

York have got off to a storming start this season, despite all the doom-mongers and ill-informed speculators sticking a pin in the division and picking them out as relegation favourites.

After all the upheaval off the field last season, it was a little surprising to see yet more in the Summer. The side just missed out on the play-offs, when for a while their very existence was in doubt. With the Supporters' Trust now in charge they've had some difficult decisions to make. Terry Dolan (pictured left) was given the boot, after guiding them to comfortable mid-table in difficult circumstances. It was blamed on essential financial cutbacks, which doesn't bode well. York promoted 27-year-old skipper Chris Brass as the league's youngest player-manager, assisted by former Darlo striker Lee Nogan.

Nogan was one of those initially released as a player, with City trimming their squad with experienced defender Tom Cowan amongst those shown the door in the Summer. Former Barnsley midfielder Mitch Ward, centre back Andrew Jordan (son of ex-Leeds striker Joe) and tsriker Aaron Wilford (from Unibond League side Whitby) are among signings. Other new arrivals include ex-Darlo reserve 'keeper Chris Porter and Mark Ovendale, who are vying for the No1 jersey,

Man to watch Lee Bullock Stockton-born attacking midfielder, who rose from the club's youth ranks to become a regular since he was a teenager. He's been on target already this season.

Full match previews on the D@rlo Uncovered and The Tinshed websites.

Ground and ticket prices Match day ticket prices stay the same as last season with adults £12, over 65s/U18's/students £8. Disabled fans will be admitted to the disabled enclosure free, with admission for helpers £9.50. Please report to the ticket office before kick-off.

Click for Streetmap of ground

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By car Leave the A1 and take A19 to York, onto Shipton Road. Turn left by the Burton Stone pub into Burton Stone Lane and the ground is on the right.

Trains and buses

Trains: Bootham Crescent is a fairly easy walk from the station. Turn left into station Road and a quick left into Leeman Road. Then before you reach the railway bridge, take a right along a footpath, walk over the River Ouse bridge, past the Marygate car park and through an underpass under the railway. Follow the path over the road into Grosvenor Terrace. Bootham Crescent runs parallel. Suggested trains: Darlington Regular services to York. Return: 23.13-23.44 Duration: 31 mins. Fare: £13.20 Saver return.

Parking is something else altogether, although there is the all-day Union Terrace car park off Clarence Street. The council produce quite a useful parking map although one option is to park elsewhere and train in or park at the park-and-ride (sign-posted on approaches) to the north of the city and take the bus. Red and Blue Net tell us if going by car then arrive very early and be aware that residents-only schemes are in operation. "For a night game it's probably best to use one of the city centre car parks (which as far as I am aware are free after about 6pm) and walk from the city centre (it's not far)."

Taxis
Ace 01904 638888
A1 Clifton 01904 430430
1-Call Ace axis 01904 634646

Darlington FC Supporters Club
Coach time 5pm, £9. Contact: 01325 243911. See Darlington Supporters' Club for more details.

If you're travelling for a distance, this is as good as anywhere to stop for a long weekend - but book early, as the city can be a honey-trap for coach parties when the weather turns for the better. There's an Online York accommodation service listing all types.

We last stayed at the Cottage Hotel (3 Clifton Green , £75 per night per double room incl breakfast), which is less than 10 minutes from the ground and 15 minutes walk into the heart of York. There are also B&Bs close to the ground, while for a bit of pampering, the elegant The Grange is recommended..

York obviously has a tourist information office (Tel: 01904 554455), with e-mail. As well as a tour of the Roman walls, there's time for some raping and pillaging at the Jorvik Viking Centre. While, for big kids of all ages, there's always the National Railway Museum!

York's has a splendid choice - just a shame again it's a Tuesday night again and will exclude so many DAFTS regulars. The locals are friendly enough and the pubs and restaurants are excellent.

The Maltings, Tanners Moat, Lendel Bridge
One of the better known watering holes for most Darlo fans (pictured right). Very handy for the station so well placed for drowning sorrows after the game as well. Not the biggest pub in the world but has a fine range of about seven real ales as well as an interesting choice of German wheat beers and Belgian brews. The food is good too - who can resist the mountain that is curry chips? Winner of many CAMRA awards over the past 10 years. Just a pity it's a midweek trip again this year, a sorry loss. DAFTS Pub of the Year 2001/2002 and highly recommended Click for map .

The Ackhorne, St Martin's Lane, off Micklegate Click on map
A wonderful pub up a cobbled lane - well worth finding. Great ales on tap - many local brews - and some top nosh to boot. Very friendly staff. Slightly off the beaten track so is not besieged by tourists and young kids. DAFTS heartily recommended.

Blue Bell, 53 Fossgate
Formerly CAMRA pub of the year a few years ago. Quite a small pub but well worth a visit for the interior alone - very Edwardian!

York Brewery, Toft Green, Micklegate
The only brewery within the city walls. About five minutes walk from the Maltings and the railway station. Proved a useful place to visit for several DAFTS after the postponement of last season's game. Simply visit the bar within the brewery itself - not cheaper than elsewhere in York - or take a brewery visit - £4 which includes a couple of pints of their (not very interesting) standard brews.

Closer to the ground, The Burton Stone in Clifton Road and nearby The Corner House in Burton
Stone Lane (off Bootham) are OK for away fans. Popular with Darlo fans and those travelling by car.

Try looking also in the York pub guide for more information and suggestions.

For a decent meal, if staying over, try the excellent Plunkett's, which has a mix of Tex-Mex and vegetarian, while a bit more up market is the stylish but not hideously expensive Rish

If you'd like to be e-mailed a regular bulletin with the latest updates on this site - including details of DAFTS members known to be travelling then E-mail DAFTS

Rail timetables Virgin Trains GNER National Express Online map
Hotels/B&Bs York council York Web Supporters' Trust Evening Press

Surfing there...

The official website is dreadful, it's updated with even less regularity than Darlington's, but is easily compensated forby the new-look Red and Blue Net - which has thankfully returned after a lengthy absence and is still excellent...one of the best in the division. There isn't much on the Minstermen.com Rivals site, which is the other alternative. There's also a new site, on a similar principle to DAFTS, from the Harrogate Minstermen.

Next away match:
Torquay United (Sat Sept 20)

York City FC:
01904) 824447 (ext one for Ticket Office, two for General Office)

No responsibility is taken for accuracy, if in doubt check before travelling.

© DAFTS 2003