Davis happy for York to enjoy good times after Cup date

PEERING along the touchline, Bolton first-team coach Steve Davis will raise a dubious smile when he sees a familiar face in the York City dugout tomorrow.

Minstermen physio Jeff Miller never did anything to upset him as such when he was a player at Bootham Crescent seven years ago but their enforced regular meetings did unfortunately become a precursor to the ageing centre-half's premature retirement.

Battling against a serious hip injury was the lasting memory of Davis's sole campaign there and, ahead of the FA Cup meeting between the sides, he told the Yorkshire Post: "I spent quite a bit of time with Jeff that year, too much time.

"I got the injury in the September and didn't play for six months. It really affected the season I was with York.

"It was disappointing and certainly wasn't how I planned to spend my time there but it was just one of those things.

"It was a great club though. I always keep an eye out for their results and it'll be good to see them and Jeff here on Saturday.

"Hopefully one day soon they'll be back in the Football League as well."

That was initially part of Davis's remit when then York player-manager Chris Brass signed his former Burnley team-mate from Blackpool in the summer of 2004.

City had just suffered relegation to the Conference and the 35-year-old's experience was seen as crucial in their bid for an immediate return.

Unfortunately, Davis managed just 15 games before being forced into retirement, Brass got the sack but bizarrely stayed on as a player, and York – now under Gary Mills – are still seeking that elusive promotion.

Davis, meanwhile, has seen his subsequent coaching career escalate far quicker than he ever imagined, currently in tandem with a manager – Owen Coyle – who is being hailed for transforming Bolton's footballing style over the last 12 months.

Although the FA Cup takes centre stage tomorrow, such has been the renaissance of Bolton under the former Burnley chief that there is realistic talk of challenging for a Champions League spot.

"I've been fortunate with the way things have worked out," said the modest Davis, who cut his coaching teeth while at York, assisting Brass and Lee Nogan.

"I got a chance at Burnley and then Owen (Coyle) came in and we did fantastically well to get up into the Premier League. When he moved on to Bolton he wanted to take me with him. It was a big decision given my Burnley background but Bolton are a big club established in the Premier League.

"We've had a good start and picked up some great results which breeds confidence.

"That's flowing through the squad and they are playing with a lot of belief.

"Everything's rosy at the moment but we know York have a habit of being giant-killers and we don't want to be their next victims."

Indeed, York progressed as far as the third round last year when they faced Premier League opposition in Stoke City so they will not be daunted by the trip to the Reebok Stadium.

Furthermore, the last time the sides clashed in the FA Cup third round back in 1971, York emerged 2-0 victors while Bolton also currently find themselves severely under-manned to further encourage their visitors.

They could only name four substitutes in their last two league games against Wigan and Liverpool such is the extent of injury and illness attacking the club.

"We are down to the bare bones," said Davis, who will not be making an emotional playing comeback at the age of 42.

"Even if we wanted to make some changes I don't know how many we could.

"This is an important game for us though. Everyone wants a good cup run and we'll be approaching it like any other.

"I think York have sold most of their tickets as well so they'll have a good support over here.

"They'll want to put a good show on for those fans and we know they'll make it tough for us so it's going to be an interesting fixture."