The 2-0 home defeat by Bradford City led to the board of directors terminating Mills’ contract with immediate effect. The board issued a statement on the club website announcing it had taken this “extremely difficult decision” due to a run of form which saw City gain only six points out of a possible 33.
“The York City Board of Directors’ absolute priority is to safeguard the Club’s Football League status and an improvement in results is essential due to our current league position,” the statement said.
“We would like to thank Gary Mills for his great contribution to York City Football Club and for managing last season’s promotion team. We wish Gary the very best for his future career.”
The club hope to make an announcement regarding the club’s new manager within the next week.
Gary Mills was hailed a hero after guiding York City to FA Trophy victory at Wembley, followed a week later by play-off victory against Luton Town at the national stadium. That finally ended eight-years of non-league football at Bootham Crescent. The prospect of an immediate return to the Conference led to his dismissal.
A dismal run of 11 games without a win has left City only four points above the drop zone. Five of the six teams below them have a game in hand on City.
The reaction on Twitter
Wish you all the best but think this is right decision. Shame as you could have been a legend at #ycfc but 6pts from 33 is relegation form.
— Joel Stern (@joelstern) March 2, 2013
Big thanks to Gary Mills. Brought some great times to #ycfc #legend #wembleytwice Shame its ended like this. If only he’d play 442…
— James Moverley (@JMov33) March 2, 2013
Real drama on the gantry at Wigan as myself & Jon Champion come to terms with the news Gary Mills has got the chop from York!!
— Guy Mowbray (@Guymowbray) March 2, 2013
How long before Sven posts his cv to York city? #ycfc
— tommy reid (@tommyreid1983) March 2, 2013
Gutted, thank you gary mills #ycfc
— steve the yorkist (@steveyorkist) March 2, 2013
@yorkcitynews would like to thank Gary for giving us the best 8 days last May & getting us promoted. A nice guy in football!
— Martin Grainger (@martingrainger) March 2, 2013
@yorkcitynews Paolo Di Canio or Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to replace Mills
— Jake Smart (@JakeySmart) March 2, 2013
To all the fans messaging me you don’t know what went on behind closed Doors York is a Great Club but there’s a reason why he’s been sacked
— Daniel Blanchett (@D3Blanchett) March 2, 2013
Feel sad that Gary Mills has gone, but the #YorkCity board had to act. City were in freefall.
— Robert Beaumont (@RobertBeaumont) March 2, 2013
So #ycfc sack the man who brought them back to the football league. The modern board/fan annoy me. You can’t win all the time!!!!#bcafc
— John Sutton (@bantam1977) March 2, 2013
Feels like a huge mistake. Tough step up with little resources; hardly the dark satanic Mills some are painting him as. Please not Westley.
— Simon Hood (@bicyclekicks) March 2, 2013
@yorkcitynews someone has suggested Keith Curle, I would prefer Curley Watts to him!! #ycfc
— Tom Poole (@tom_poole_87) March 2, 2013
Disappointed but not surprised. Recent results show he’s not cut at this level! Cant take away last year thanks Millsy! #ycfc @yorkcitynews
— Adam Livingston (@adamlivvo) March 2, 2013
Mad move to sack to Mills if you ask me.Why do it now?Who are we going to get? I know I’m a Scot but love the club and City. #ycfc
— Ciaron Forrest (@CFORREST54) March 2, 2013
What Mills did will never be forgotten. But football is a results business. We were heading for relegation. This has to be best for #ycfc .
— David Ward (@thecrescent78) March 2, 2013
The things Gary Mills did for #ycfc is something I will never forget! He took us from the bottom! #TopClass #WembleyTwice
— SamSamSam. (@Samwadeyork) March 2, 2013
@scarrollpress @johnnydobbo get Andy McMillan in. Top coach, City legend. Players need to feel the passion for the club. He will do that!
— Ed Townend (@eddtownend) March 2, 2013
#YCFC sad to see Gary Mills sacked after Wembley double last year. That’s football. Thanks for the memories and move on. They’ve struggled.
— Simon O’Rourke (@sorourkeITV) March 2, 2013
Hope all the York boys can pull together and get them out of it. Great lads, good squad. #ycfc
— Jamie reed (@jamie7reed) March 2, 2013