This is the moment that finally put a huge smile back on the face of York football. York City captain Chris Smith latches on to a long free kick from goalie Michael Ingham to steal victory at Dagenham & Redbridge and secure league status for the club.
City went into the game needing at least a point to be certain of survival. Around 1,200 York fans made the journey to Dagenham’s Victoria Road, and celebrated wildly when the whistle went. The Dagenham fans joined in the party when they learned their club had also survived, when Barnet were relegated after losing to Northampton Town.
For the first time since the victories at Christmas and New Year, the City fans could finally relax. The slump overseen by sacked manager Gary Mills was forgotten. His replacement Nigel Worthington instilled belief in a team that, only a few weeks ago, looked certain to be relegated after just one season back in League Two.
An unbeaten run of six games, in which they secured 14 points, ensured that City finished in 17th place, four points clear of the relegation zone.
Congratulations, too, to the team at Four Four Two magazine who predicted before the season started that York City FC would finish… in 17th place.
At the time we scoffed. We’ll be far higher than that, we said, pushing for a play-off place. Funny old game, football.
Nigel Worthington talks to BBC Radio York
The final table
The response in Tweets
Well done to York City! 1-0 win! We are Football League! Fantastic achievement after a long hard season of football. #YCFC
— John Sentamu (@JohnSentamu) April 27, 2013
Gr8 night with the boys gonna miss them too much jokes
— Adam Reed (@Adam_Reed4) April 28, 2013
Big thanks for all the lovely tweets. means a lot. Delighted for everyone involved with YCFC. Now it’s #partytime #stayingup
— Matty Blair (@MattyBlair17) April 27, 2013
Horrible game but 3 pts and staying up was all that mattered, fans were immense today #loud #noise #leaguefootball
— Jason Walker (@jason9walker) April 27, 2013
Great win. Ugly game. Support was class today. #stayingup
— David McGurk (@DavidMcGurk5) April 27, 2013
Loved the atmosphere today was class #Bumping
— Ashley Chambers (@ashchambo) April 27, 2013
What a day for the lads and the fans and everyone to do with York city!!!! WELL DONE LADS!!! Great result!!!
— Michael Potts (@michaelpotts19) April 27, 2013
Hahahaha @jason9walker what is wrong with this guy !!! twitter.com/Adam_Reed4/sta…
— Adam Reed (@Adam_Reed4) April 27, 2013
My 500th tweet is dedicated to 1200 fans who watched us secure our league status, fantastic support. #ycfc twitter.com/Pjneilo/status…
— Phil Neilson (@Pjneilo) April 28, 2013
— Louise (@LouiseYCFC) April 28, 2013
#ycfc @ashchambo and #Worthington twitter.com/yorkcityfcgavo…
— Gavin Collingwood (@yorkcityfcgavo) April 28, 2013
Chris Smith #ycfc twitter.com/yorkcityfcgavo…
— Gavin Collingwood (@yorkcityfcgavo) April 28, 2013
Just. Wow. Can’t believe we actually safe. A month ago I thought we were dead and buried, but we are football league! #ycfc #League2
— Ninston Billar (@JakeC92) April 27, 2013
@yorkcitynews mint season ups and downs thanks to Gary mills for all his work #inmillswetrust and to worthy for finishing off #innigewetrust
— daniel blower (@danielblower1) April 28, 2013
— Gavin Collingwood (@yorkcityfcgavo) April 28, 2013
— Gavin Collingwood (@yorkcityfcgavo) April 28, 2013
— Gavin Collingwood (@yorkcityfcgavo) April 28, 2013
@yorkcitynews Don’t know why everyone was worrying about relegation we finished 17th! #YCFC
— Andy Everett (@Andy_Everett) April 28, 2013
@yorkcitynews What a day! Happy for Dagenham too. Friendly club and it was great to celebrate together!!! #ycfc #league2
— Ryan Morris (@NorthernLad20) April 28, 2013
We did it. Thanks for your fantastic support. See you in League 2 next season – come on City!
— York City FC (@yorkcityfc) April 27, 2013