Hospital Ball

This week’s guest is former York City defender Ray Warburton. After swapping South Yorkshire for North Yorkshire in 1989, Ray soon became a fan favourite at Bootham Crescent, with his performances at the heart of the defence earning him a special place in supporters’ memories. Injuries may have curtailed his progress during his five-year stay with the Minstermen, but many fans still hold Ray in th...

This week’s guest is iconic 1990s footballer John Williams, better known as “The Flying Postman.” John was spotted starring for local side Cradley Town by Swansea City where he quickly established himself as a key player, renowned for his pace and goalscoring exploits. John won the infamous Rumbelows Sprint Challenge at Wembley Stadium and, after only one season, stepped up to sign for Coventry Ci...

In our now-annual sit-down with Matt Uggla, we reflect on a remarkable season that ended in a title triumph for York City F.C.. Matt shares his emotions from the dramatic moments at Rochdale, what the title win truly means to him, and why he believes this is only the beginning of the club’s journey back into the Football League. We also go behind the scenes, with Matt offering insight into his rol...

York Hospital Radio meets John Helm, a true commentary legend whose career spans over six decades. From standing on the terraces to calling ten World Cups, John reflects on an extraordinary journey through the game. We cover his early commentaries covering Leeds United during the Don Revie era, iconic moments across various Yorkshire football clubs, his work on FIFA tournaments, the Indian Super L...

Kingsley James lifts the lid on York City’s promotion season, his partnership with John Askey, and the tensions that eventually led to their departure. Here is an exclusive early release of Series 15 of York Hospital Ball featuring former York City assistant manager, Kingsley James. Having spent the vast majority of his playing career in the lower leagues, Kingsley faced the Minstermen many times...

Hospital Ball welcomes York City striker Dipo Akinyemi for the 100th episode of the podcast. In this in-depth interview, Dipo reflects on his professional journey — from his early career at Stevenage, through a series of character-building loan spells, before finding his feet at Welling United and getting his career back on track. A move north of the border to Ayr United followed, where a spectacu...

Our final episode in this series on cult heroes features perhaps the ultimate York City cult hero – Gary Swann Born in York, Gary began his footballing career at Hull City, where he rose through the ranks to become a first-team regular, achieving two promotions over six seasons. He then moved to Preston North End, adding another promotion to his career achievements, before joining York City on a f...

In 1995, Paul Stephenson arrived at Bootham Crescent for a bargain £35,000. His dazzling skill and quick feet made an instant impact on York City supporters. Despite battling injuries in his first season, he played a key role in the club’s famous League Cup triumph over Premier League side Everton in 1996 and became a firm fan favourite during his three seasons at the club. In this exclusive inter...

This special mid-series bonus episode features York City FC historian and author Paul Bowser. Paul has just released Part Three of his acclaimed trilogy, Bootham Crescent: A Second Home, and joins Hospital Ball to discuss his lifelong support of the club and the lengthy but rewarding journey of writing the books. The third volume is a 370-page A4 hardback covering the years 1993 to 2025 — document...

When Jon Challinor came on as a half time sub for Kettering against York City, his only intentions were to help preserve some pride for the poppies having being 4-0 down at the time. By the end of the match Gary Mills felt he was the best player on the pitch, by the end of the week he was a York City player and by the end of the season he was a double Wembley winner. This came after three near mis...

From England schoolboy caps to 117 goals in professional football and an FA Cup semi-final, Gordon Staniforth’s career is the kind every young footballer dreams of. A two-time winner of York City’s Billy Fenton Clubman of the Year award, Gordon was a shining light during a challenging era for the club. Across two spells with York City, as well as a career that brought promotions and cup runs, he’s...

The brand new series kicks off with cult hero Ian Blackstone — a player whose unconventional rise to professional football took him from Starbeck to Wembley in just a few short years. Affectionately known as Blackie by fans, Ian signed for York City at the age of 25 and quickly made his mark. Thriving under manager John Ward, he became a real menace for defenders and found the net regularly, wheth...

Welcome to our annual sit down with York City co-chair Matt Uggla. Speaking ahead of the 2025-26, Matt discusses the recruitment strategies used by the club, the level of interest for current players, agents fees, the barriers to long-term success with the stadium and much more. This podcast interview was conducted and edited by Dan Tait, produced by Keith Lea. If enjoy these podcasts please suppo...

This is the second part of a special episode featuring a collection of live interviews hosted by Hospital Ball's Dan Tait, recorded at York City Supporters Trust events between February and April 2025. Taken from The Crux of It , our Hospital Ball spin-off, the episode includes appearances from: February : Tyrese Sinclair & Malachi Fagen-Walcott March : Billy Chadwick & Joe Felix April: Ma...

This special episode features a collection of live interviews hosted by Hospital Ball's Dan Tait, recorded at York City Supporters Trust events from September to December 2024. Taken from The Crux of It, our Hospital Ball spin-off, the episode includes appearances from: September: Paddy McLaughlin & Rory Watson October: Callum Howe, Ryan Fallowfield & Dan Batty November: Harrison Male &amp...

When a young Mikey watched York City on the terraces of Bootham Crescent with his grandad, he would have dreamt of representing the club when he was older. That opportunity came when he was appointed assistant manager to David Webb in 2022 but took full charge of the side when Webb departed after only a few months. Trying to keep the club in the National League whilst off the field issues reared t...

David Lloyd is without doubt a cricketing legend after a long and successful career that included captaining and winning trophies with Lancashire, scoring a test hundred for England, later coaching his county and country plus becoming everyone's favourite pundit during his 22 years with Sky sports. During those times it was well known that Bumble was a huge football fan, in particular, of his home...

When Jon Champion persuaded his parents to let him skip orchestra practice to go to Bootham Crescent, even he couldn’t have predicted the chain of events that followed this seminal moment. This interview discusses the long suffering support of his hometown club but also how this all coincided with forging his successful career in broadcasting, which started with a fluent but drunken match report....

The last in this batch of interviews and what an interview to finish on, the legendary Lenell John-Lewis, or The Shop, to his adoring fans. From starting out at Grantham to a long and successful career in the football league and non-league, Lenny joined York City initially on loan in February 2022. With the club in need of a talisman, they certainly got it with Lenell quickly becoming a fans favou...

As part of the partnership with York Hospital Radio and York City Football Club this weeks guest is Ryan Fallowfield. Ryan joined the club in the summer of 2022 after a successful spell with Harrogate Town. His two and a half years with the Minstermen have been a rollercoaster but Ryan secured the Clubman of the year last season and recently surpassed over 100 appearances for the club. Here we dis...

As part of a partnership with York City FC we spoke to Joe Felix about his footballing journey. From growing up in London, bouncing back from being released by QPR, working with Adam Hinshelwood at Worthing to his energetic start to life at York City. We also discuss the importance of faith and family in his life and how it has shaped him as an individual. This interview was conducted by Dan Tait,...

This guest needs little introduction, York City manager Adam Hinshelwood. In this interview we discuss everything from his playing career, coaching philosophy, time at Worthing to, of course, his meteoric rise at York City from the humbling 6-1 defeat at Altrincham where the club looked odds on for a relegation to the top of the league where the club proudly sits now. This interview was conducted...

Callum Harriott is trying to make up for lost time with York City supporters. Now in his second season with the club, Callum reflects on the challenges with injuries in the first campaign but how much he enjoys playing for manager Adam Hinshelwood and in front of the York City supporters. We also delve into his football journey before York City including international honours and how he burst onto...

As part of a partnership with York City Football Club, we are interviewing current players and staff that will provide content for the official club app as well as on York Hospital Ball. This episode is with the clubs Director of Football, Tony McMahon. This interviews covers Tony’s playing career including captaining Middlesbrough to the FA Youth Cup in 2004, making his first team debut at Old Tr...

Rick Witter is the lead singer of York band Shed Seven, who have been in the music industry for over 30 years. They have achieved 15 top 40 singles in the UK and earlier this year scored their first ever number one album, A matter of time. Here Rick discusses their entire career from the highs of charts success and appearing on Top of the pops to the battles with record labels as well as their fan...