Foyle looks to give York fans just rewards

YORK CITY manager Martin Foyle is aiming to repay the club's long-suffering supporters in the best possible way – with promotion back to the Football League.

York, who went into administration in 2002 and were relegated to the Conference two years later, travel to Blue Square Premier champions Stevenage Borough on Saturday knowing that their play-off place is assured.

After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, Foyle is keen to complete an amazing turnaround and lead his side back to the Football League where most York fans believe the club belongs.

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"A lot of our supporters do believe that, deep down – that York City is a Football League club," Foyle said.

"But it's been six years since we were in the league now, we are a non-league club.

"Promotion would be a great way to repay the fans, but it's important we just take it one game at a time.

"Saying that, we've known for a long time that we're good enough to make the play-offs and it's been a fantastic season so far.

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"We had a lot of personnel changes in the summer, and we were aiming to finish in the top 10, but the players have been a credit to us.

"They've not had a lot of coaching before, and they haven't worked on shape, but they go out there and they're organised and they know their jobs.

"We know that we're capable of scoring goals (striker Richard Brodie has notched 29) and I think we're also up there in the defensive league.

"We're confident – there are a lot of good things about us at the minute."

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Foyle, who succeeded New Zealander Colin Walker at the helm in November 2008, says he is "not perturbed" by Saturday's trip to Stevenage, who sealed promotion last weekend with a 2-0 victory at Kidderminster – their 12th win in 13 games.

"It could have been easy to take our foot off the gas, take it easy and just coast until the end of the season," he added.

"But we're not looking to do that. The players came back into training in midweek, and then we have to take stock and see who is available for the Stevenage game. But hopefully everyone will be ready for the first play-off game, and we can do ourselves justice."

The work done by Foyle and his backroom staff has extended far beyond the home dressing room at Bootham Crescent.

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"Our job has been to rebuild the club," the 46-year-old said, "and I think we've done well.

"There have been, and still will be, supporters to convince but, without having a go at anyone in particular, there were so many things wrong with this club: things needed sorting out.

"Football came first and foremost, of course, but there were other things too that made it difficult. We had to sort out all the facilities, and the training ground. Our fans have been through a lot – so it would be nice to do this for them."