It would appear that a certain amount of complacency has crept into the City camp in recent weeks.

1. Peter Taylor gave the players 'the day off' on Christmas Day and didn't ask them to train. Unfortunately the players decided to extend their little break to Boxing Day and totally capitulated against Arsenal.

2. Peter Taylor gave the players 'the day off' on New Year's Eve and didn't ask them to train. Unfortunately the players continued to rest during the first 30 mins. of the home fixture against Bradford and the game slipped away from their grasp before they woke up.

Gilbert the Filbert would like to point out that if we do not take the game against York City seriously we will come unstuck. So I would urge; The management, the players and the supporters of Leicester City to be 'up for' the next fixture otherwise we could get on the 'slippery slope' that would be very difficult to get off.

Let us therefore look closely at our next opposition;

York City FC.

Ground: Bootham Crescent, York YO30 7AQ.

Club Sponsors: Portakabin.

Chairman: Douglas Craig.

Club Secretary: Keith Usher.

Manager: Neil Thompson.

First Team Coach: Adrian Shaw.

Head of Youth Development: Paul Stancliffe.

Physiotherapist: Jeff Miller.

Head Groundsman: Bryan Horner.

Honours: Fourth Division Champions 1983/94, Third Division Wembley Play-off Winners 1992/93, Second Division Play-Off Semi-finalists 1993/94, FA Cup Semi-finalists 1954/55, Football League Cup Quarter-finalists 1961/62.

General Office: 01904 624447
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Club History

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York City came into existence in 1922.

They achieved Football League status in 1929 replacing Ashington in the (then) Third Division North.

Survived re-elections to the League in 1933, 1939, 1950 and 1954.

Recent successes have all being in the Coca Cola Cup, where City have achieved notoriety having defeated first Manchester United and then Everton.

The 1996/1997 season was almost a disaster for City, just avoiding relegation for the second year running, despite the success in the Coca Cola Cup.

1998-99 was to be a season of heartache for York City fans as the club's record equalling six-year spell in the Second Division was cut short. The club had only themselves to blame as they allowed Alan Little(Brian's brother) to remain at the helm through a disastrous run of ten matches without a win and when they finally did axe Little, the damage was very much done and City's chances of survival seemed minimal.

The season began with a clear-out and despite the signings of Steve Agnew(yes the bald ex Leicester player), Neil Thompson and Neil Woods, before the season had begun, City were facing an injury / suspension crisis. After picking up following a poor start, in mid-October, City slipped badly and their poor form was highlighted by their struggle to overcome non-league Enfield in the FA Cup but over Christmas recovered sufficiently to find themselves lying in 9th place but a nightmare run saw City slip into trouble and several players turn their backs on the club. Despite this, perhaps the high point of the season was Richard Cresswell's call-up to the England Under-21 squad.

Neil Thompson was put in caretaker charge of team affairs and the team recovered and following two consecutive wins and reaching 50 points, City seemed to have all but secured Second Division safety but a cruel turn of events saw Wycombe and Oldham manage the seemingly impossible and condemn City to the basement. Richard Cresswell was top scorer with 16 goals even after his departure to Sheffield Wednesday whilst average attendances fell again.

Since that set-back, Neil Thompson has been appointed manager and has made some big decisions ahead of the 1999-2000 third division campaign, but never-the-less, that's what York City Football Club needs to get back on track.

Another York City/Leicester City link

Richard Cresswell - Striker

'Crezzie' became the first ever York City player to be associated with the England national team above youth level when he was capped at U-21 level (by Peter Taylor( when he came on as substitute in a friendly game against France. The striker showed a lot of early promise as a youngster, having graduated from York City's youth academy, but his bright form faded and he became a target for the 'boo boys'. However, Cress'(as the York fans knew him) came back to prove his critics wrong and after a fine string of diplays throughout the 1998-99 season and after City turned down numerous offers for the striker, Sheffield Wednesday finally came in with a £1 million bid in March 1999. Since signing for the Owls, Cress' has further developed his carrer by moving to Leicester City FC.

Professional Career: YORK CITY, Mansfield Town (Loan), Sheffield Wednesday.

York City debut: Brentford (Away), 20th January 1996.

York City Career: League: 70(21) appearances, 21 goals. Cup: 11(5) appearances, 3 goals.

Height: 6'1" Weight: 11 07

Unfortunately 'Owls' fans will tell you they were not sorry to see Cresswell move on since he made little or no impression on the shape of the back of the net, a situation which he has emulated since moving to us.

Sadly there are players who move on and move on and move on and then fade into obscurity. Unless he makes a mark at Leicester very quickly he will ineviably become a part of that syndrome.

We have a lot to do.............new players.....the right ones are seriously needed......urgently!!!!!!!

York City will be looking at this game with relish, we're on our knees at the moment and York need another significant scalp to raise their spirits and compensate for their recent anonymity......................we would be ideal candidates.

Last Match Player Analysis.

Flowers: He'd be the first to admit he made a howling mistake that cost us the game. I was disappointed to see him not re-appear for the second half unless his injury was that bad. His fitness would appear to be a growing problem.

Rowett: He was OK

Elliott: A great player, but misses Taggart badly.

Gilchrist: Satisfactory - he came in and did his best.

Eadie: Pathetic.

Impey: Below his usual mediocre standards.

Savage: He's trying to play every midfield position, he's lost his edge because the organisation has gone out of midfield.

Jones: He's Ok when we have the ball, but when 'they' have the ball he appears to lose interest. He has little or no tactical acumen but he has a lot of skill, we need a player in midfield who can organise those around him.

Izzett: He's a great player but he's lost his sidekick and now looks very average.

Gunnlaugsson: He demonstrated yet again that he's not a 90 minute man.

Akinbiyi: Played heroically but was largely ineffective.

subs:

Royce: Had very little to do.

Guppy: I was delighted to see that he was back to his old self, he played like a demon and inspired several attacks which should have been capitalised on.

Benjamin: Big, strong, enthusiastic...........but so is my mate who sits next to me.

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