Hospital Ball

The career trajectory of Graeme Murty was an impressive one. From being released by Middlesbrough for being too small, York City took a chance on Murty and saw him come up through the Youth team, score at Anfield for the reserves before making a significant impact in the first team, the peak of which was a goal against Everton in the 1996 league cup. Reading paid £700,000 for his services and he w...

In 1982 Ricky Sbragia was driving from Blackpool to Rochdale having been offered a two year contract to play at Spotland but he turned the car around and somehow ended up at Bootham Crescent instead. It would turn out to be an inspired move for both Ricky and York City. A rock at the heart of the defence alongside fellow Scot John MacPhail, Ricky is fondly remembered for his part in the 101 points...

When Chris Brass signed for York City in 2001 he was approaching his best years as a professional footballer. Installed as club captain, Chris was a real figurehead with chaos in the background at Bootham Crescent. Those leadership qualities saw him appointed as player manager at just 27 years old and after four wins from the first four games it seemed like Brass could do no wrong. The fairytale d...

When Scott Barrow signed for York City there was one glaring omission from his football CV - promotion. He felt signing for York City represented his best chance of achieving this but when that dream was realised in the 2022 National League North play-off final it turned into a nightmare when he was stretchered off with a serious knee injury. Here Scott discusses everything in his career building...

It is just short of a year since Matt Uggla became owner of York City and we welcomed him back to the Hospital Radio studios to reflect on that time period as well as giving a real insight into the present and future of the club. Discussing everything on and off the pitch, Matt is brutally honest about the rollercoaster year whilst giving everyone, from a York City perspective, hope going forward....

Recorded at Haxby Sports Bar back in January, this live event featured former player and BBC radio pundit Iain Dunn and club legend David McGurk. Iain speaks about growing up as a supporter, being a ball boy to fulfilling a childhood dream of playing at Bootham Crescent whilst David recalls many stories from his ten years representing the Minstermen. Main interview conducted by Dan Tait with audie...

Manny Duku has had an interesting career as a professional footballer. From being disillusioned at things not working out in Holland he took a chance in England and carved out a reputation as a goal scorer in the lower divisions. He signed for York City in 2022 and became a cult hero with supporters due to his passionate performances and key goals. Here Manny discusses his time at the LNER as well...

The term ‘fan favourite’ couldn’t be more fitting when discussing Pete Jameson’s time at York City. Joining from Blyth Spartans in 2019 Pete was the established number one throughout his three seasons at the club, the final of which, saw him win player of the year as the team clinched promotion via the playoffs. This interview covers all his time playing for the Minstermen as well as his spells wi...

Very few footballers are able to say that they made their debut in the professional game aged just 15 years old but Ashley Chambers did just that when he played for Leicester City in a league cup tie. He also played for England at various youth levels but needed to leave Leicester in search of regular first team football. York City and Gary Mills provided that and the rest, as they say, is history...

Football supporters love a player who wears their heart on their sleeve and Michael Rankine epitomised that with his all action and passionate displays for York City. Playing for the club across three separate spells Michael discusses his time at Bootham Crescent as well as his wider career representing the likes of Scunthorpe United, Aldershot Town and Hereford. This interview was conducted by Da...

Terry Dolan has pretty much spent his whole life in football. This interview goes right back to his playing days with the likes of Bradford Park Avenue and Huddersfield Town to covering his managerial spells with Bradford City and of course, York City. Terry’s time at Bootham Crescent was never plain sailing and he effectively served under three owners in three years. In an exclusive interview wit...

From being one of Britain’s most expensive teenage footballers and playing in the first season of the Premier League to being forced to retire from the game in his late 20s, Neil Tolson packed a lot into his football career. At York City he found a manager who believed in him and a fan base that loved his committed style and goal celebrations making him a perfect guest for this podcast. Now coachi...

If there was ever a poll to decide the best value for money York City player, Derek Hood, who cost the club £2000 from Hull City would certainly be up there. Over 300 appearances covering nearly every position on the pitch, Derek was in the side that were the first to achieve over 100 points as well as facing Liverpool in the FA Cup. Here Derek discusses his career from early beginnings as a youth...

Welcome to a brand new series of York Hospital Ball, a series that goes through the decades starting with former striker Jimmy Seal covering the golden period of the 1970s where York City clinched promotion to the old Second Division. Jimmy signed from Barnsley and initially found goals hard to come by but would go on to form one of the most prolific strike partnerships in the club's history when...

George Mallett's book 'Potter, Hopcutt and a desk in East London' predominantly covers the rise of Swedish side Ostersunds FK from the lower leagues of Sweden to their European adventure. The backdrop of the book however, is George's support of York City, and here we speak to him about his journey following both the Minster men and Ostersunds which led to him releasing a book about those adventure...

Welcome to an exclusive interview with the new owner of York City Football Club, Matthew Uggla. After just a week in the role, Matt gave up his time to come to the York Hospital Radio studios to discuss his plans for the club including recruitment, current priorities, challenges and what he hopes will be his legacy. This interview was conducted by Dan Tait and produced by Keith Lea. If you enjoy t...

When Steve Ovenden sat through 45 minutes of York City losing at Reading on a random Tuesday night, he couldn’t have imagined the half-time entertainment would have changed life as he knew it. What followed was a number of amazing opportunities as Steve donned the mask of the newly created Yorkie the lion. From representing England to coming to blows with a Halifax Town centre half as well as havi...

When avid supporter James Richardson finished University he probably didn't think his first employment would be as a low paid commercial assistant at York City. However, a short time later James would be involved in numerous aspects of the club which lead to things like making up players names in the matchday programme, discussing transfer targets with Alan Little to designing away shirts. From th...

When Gary Mills came back to York City in 2016 he needed players to represent his passion and leadership on the pitch. Sean Newton epitomised everything the manager needed. Having followed him from Wrexham, Sean soon won supporters over with his performances and quality set pieces. Although York City were relegated to the Conference North Sean's association with the football club extended to six y...

Clayton Donaldson was already seen as a club legend due to his brilliant two year spell at the club between 2005 and 2007 so coming back at the tail end of his career could have tarnished his legacy. However, Clayton's experience (and 14 goals) proved a significant factor in the club achieving promotion from National League North and here he reflects on his contribution to John Askey's promotion w...

Matty Blair's journey in football is one based on hard work and dedication. The son of a former European cup winner, you would be mistaken thinking Matty's path was smooth as he worked his way up through the non-league pyramid. When Blair signed for Gary Mills at York in 2011 it was an inspired move as he notched 20 goals in his debut season on route to promotion including goals in both FA Trophy...

When John Ward left York City in March 1993, it was a crucial point in the season for the club in their pursuit of promotion. Appointing Alan Little, John Ward's assistant, a man with no previous managerial experience was a huge call. However, it 100% proved to be the right decision. From his first game in charge; a 5-1 win at Barnet, to winning promotion at Wembley to beating the likes of Manches...

When Andy Leaning was advised to take on an apprenticeship in a trade rather than as a footballer he thought his chance of playing for York City had gone. However, it turned out to be a blessing as Andy built up skills and experience playing local mens football which led to a chance reserve team game at Bootham Crescent. The rest, as they say, is history as Andy quickly established himself as firs...

When Denis Smith arrived on loan at York City in 1982 he was shocked at the lack of professionalism and poor standards he had become accustomed to during his stellar career at Stoke City. Accepting the position as player manager of the club Denis knew the size of the challenge but by the time he left for Sunderland in 1987 he had given York City supporters lasting memories that included being the...

Writer Daniel Gray has just released his excellent book 'The silence of the stands' which details his journey following football during the pandemic. Daniel grew up in York and speaks to us about his childhood following the Minstermen, his infamous purchase of one of turnstiles from Bootham Crescent before discussing his latest football book. This interview was conducted by Dan Tait, edited and pr...