HISTORY shows that newly-promoted clubs from the National League to the EFL are not there to make up the numbers.

And York City don't plan to be messing around in 2026-27 either.

Since 2002-03, 43 new arrivals from the fifth-tier have never gone down; only 16 have dropped back outside of the league since.

Recent success stories, most notably Wrexham, have shown the art of the possible and with the dust now starting to settle on Saturday's astonishing final-day events at Rochdale, the Minstermen are now looking ahead to life back in League Two – and hopefully beyond.

York manager Stuart Maynard, inset, who took Notts County to the fourth-tier play-offs in 2024-25, said: "We want to make an impact. I've said it to the group.

"I've said it all along.

"When we get promoted, we've got to go there and make an impact.

"We played Barnsley, a League One club and went there (in the FA Cup in November) and we showed that we're a top team and we can compete against anyone.

BELIEF: York City manager Stuart Maynard (second right) celebrates with his staff and the trophy after his team won the National League at Rochdale in dramatic circumstances on Saturday. Picture: Cody Froggatt/PA

placeholder image — BELIEF: York City manager Stuart Maynard (second right) celebrates with his staff and the trophy after his team won the National League at Rochdale in dramatic circumstances on Saturday. Picture: Cody Froggatt/PA

"I know it's consistency. In the one-off games, it's tough. I know that the league's really physical from being there with Notts County.

"But I know what it takes to be right at the top of that division. And I believe we've got a group of players that can come in and they'll fight and we'll be right at the top of that division.

"It's about momentum and belief. And that's what's so tough with the National League.

"I believe any of the top seven (in 25-26) get promoted into the EFL and finish in that mid-table bit. I really do. I think they're top teams. The top seven this year is the strongest I've ever seen it in the National League. And it's going to be some play-offs."

LATE, LATE SHOW: York City's players celebrate after Josh Stones scores the crucial equalising goal to edge out Rochdale for automatic promotion to League Two. Picture: Cody Froggatt/PA

Fortunately, for their sakes – more especially after events last season – York have avoided them, by the barest of margins.

In his first season with the Minstermen, Maynard has led the club back to where they belong at the end of a campaign where their numbers have been off the scale.

It took a haul of 108 points to book an EFL return and months of hard work, sacrifice and some pain along the way to get over the line and for Maynard, it was a true family effort.

He added: "We're so proud. But look, I think the wives, the girlfriends of all the players; my wife, my daughter, they deserve huge credit.

"The sacrifice that they make every week, (when) we're away from them.

"Up and down the country, they miss so much time off us.

"I see my family probably once a week, but they allow us to go and be dedicated.

"You have to be obsessed with this job if you want success.

"And we've got a group of players and a management team that are obsessed.

"We're focused. The minute that a game ends, we're back on to the next one."

Thankfully for York, there isn't a next one until August.

They have earned their time for celebration and Maynard can afford himself a wee rest.