Sid Storey

Storey, one of the most skilful players ever to represent the club, was probably the bargain buy of all time for York since they were formed in

1922 when they were in the Midland League.

He joined the Bootham Crescent club from Wombwell in May 1947 for 100 and went on to play for nine seasons, making 354 league and cup appearances, scoring 42 goals.

Sidney Storey (he was always known as Sid) was born in Darfield, South Yorkshire, on Christmas Day 1919. On leaving school he became a coal miner and played his early football for mining teams Ardsley Welfare and Grimethorpe Athletic.

During the Second World War, he played some games for Huddersfield Town

before joining Wombwell Athletic.

A small, tricky inside forward, his talent was soon spotted and many regarded him as the best playmaker in the Northern Section of the Third Division after York had beaten other clubs to his signature.

Storey was a first team regular for nine years and became a key player in the York team which startled the football world by reaching the FA Cup semi-finals in March 1955.

In the third round, York beat Blackpool (who had won the trophy 18 months earlier defeating Bolton Wanderers in the "Matthews final"), and then mighty Tottenham Hotspur in the fifth round.

Storey scored York's first goal in the 2-0 win at Blackpool, who had seven internationals in their side, and also scored in the 3-1 fourth round win at Bishop Auckland.

It was a big blow when he was ruled out of the semi-final against Newcastle United at Hillsborough because of a leg injury. The teams drew 1-1 before Newcastle won the replay 2-0 when Storey returned to the side.

Storey's injury saw him miss several key games towards the end of the 1954-55 season when York just failed to get promotion.

He received a benefit in 1955 but at the end of the following season he was given a free transfer by manager Sam Bartram. The club sent Storey a letter thanking him for "his fine football" and recorded in the club's minutes "his outstanding service and loyalty".

He then joined Second Division Barnsley before moving to Accrington

Stanley and Bradford Park Avenue, ending his playing days there at the age of 40. He remained a miner throughout, playing as a part-time professional.

Storey then returned to York as a trainer-coach and spent three years in that position.

On retiring, he was a bus driver for the West Yorkshire Road Car

Company in York and spent much of his social time ballroom dancing with

his wife.

Storey's death leaves four survivors of York's most famous team – goalkeeper Tommy Forgan, who lives in Australia, right half Gordon Brown, inside right Arthur Bottom and centre forward Norman Wilkinson.

Mr Storey leaves his wife Margaret, sons Kenneth and Neil and five grandchildren. The funeral service is at York Crematorium on Monday, April 19, at 11am.