Steve Watson signs York City contract extension after impressing chairman Jason McGill 'on and off the pitch'

York City manager Steve Watson and his assistant Micky Cummins have signed contract extensions after a season which saw their side win more points than any other Conference North team, but fail to win promotion.
CONTRACT EXTENSION: Manager Steve Watson has been rewarded for an encouraging first season at York CityCONTRACT EXTENSION: Manager Steve Watson has been rewarded for an encouraging first season at York City
CONTRACT EXTENSION: Manager Steve Watson has been rewarded for an encouraging first season at York City

Former Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday player Watson was on course for his first full campaign as a manager when the coronavirus pandemic brought a halt in March, with the Minstermen top of the table.

When it was decided to abandon the regular season and decide it on points-per-game, York slipped below King's Lynn into second and a play-off they lost to Altrincham on Saturday.

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But chairman Jason McGill has recognised the strides forward by a club which has been in the doldrums since dropping out of the Football League in 2016.

“I’m thrilled to be staying at York City, there is so much to be excited about at the club both on and off the pitch,” said Watson.

“Before the pandemic the team were going in the right direction and we certainly felt that we had a chance to win the league. Now, Micky and I are determined to finish the job next season.”

York are due to move into a new stadium at Monks Cross once a safety certificate can be granted. To get that, the new venue will have to run a test event with 3,000 spectators, something not possible under the existing covid-19 restrictions. The sale of Bootham Crescent to Persimmon Homes is on hold until that happens.

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The new season is due to kick-off on October 3 with restricted capacities, but it is not yet known how many will be allowed in.

Chairman McGill spoke of how impressed he has been with Watson, who joined from Gateshead last summer along with his right-hand man Cummins.

“The club had a great 2019-20 campaign, we finished top of the league and were primed for promotion, which is testimony to Steve, his staff and players,” he said.

“We have been impressed with his approach, both on and off the pitch, and look forward to seeing what Steve can do this coming season.”

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Watson can now set to work adding to a squad which has Paddy McLaughlin and goalkeepers Pete Jameson, and Ryan Whitley as its only contracted players for 2020-21. They are in talks with David Ferguson, Kieran Green, Reiss Harrison, Charlie Jebson-King, Alex Kempster, Josh King, Sean Newton and Harry Spratt about new deals, but the rest have been released.

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