Mills delighted for Minstermen to be under promotion pressure

Then, the old lines about it being a long season, nothing ever being decided on paper and success being dependent on a whole variety of factors, including luck, will be trotted out.

Gary Mills, however, is different as the Yorkshire Post discovered when talking to the York City manager ahead of tomorrow’s BlueSquare Premier opener at Ebbsfleet United.

“I take it as a huge compliment, to be honest,” said the 49-year-old when asked about the bookmakers pricing the Minstermen as third favourites behind beaten play-off finalists Luton Town and big-spending Fleetwod Town to win promotion to the Football League.

“I also think it is great recognition for York City that we are being tipped to do well. One non-League paper this week had us down as being champions, which to me is great.

“I am certainly not the sort of manager who feels under pressure because of it. All it shows is how far we have come in a short space of time.”

Mills has just completed his first pre-season as York manager, having taken charge of the club in mid-October last year following Martin Foyle’s sudden departure.

At the time, York were 16th and within a month they had slumped into the bottom four and a long and bleak winter fighting relegation seemed in store.

Instead, Mills brought about a huge upturn in fortune that saw York among the challengers for the play-offs until one win from the final five games meant they had to settle for eighth place.

Seven points separated York from the final play-off place, claimed by Fleetwood. AFC Wimbledon accounted for the Lancashire club in the semi-finals en route to joining runaway champions Crawley in winning promotion to the Football League by beating Luton at Wembley.

The absence of Crawley – and, more importantly, their owners’ deep pockets – means this season’s BlueSquare Premier is likely to be much more open than last term when Steve Evans’s side finished 15 points clear at the top.

Mills said: “Crawley ran away with the division after spending a lot of money so maybe that will make it a bit more even, though I have heard a lot of people say Fleetwood could do the same this year. But, to me, money does not always guarantee success. It can only get you so far, you also need a wealth of other things such as spirit and determination, which is what Crawley did have.

“A successful team always works hard with what it has got. I want my team to do just that.”

York have a hectic start with six games in the next 17 days, starting with tomorrow’s trip to promoted Ebbsfleet. Mills added: “We can’t wait to get underway. Pre-season is always the same in that you get to the stage where you get towards the back end and you’ve had enough.

“The players, who are fit and mentally sharp, have worked hard but now can’t wait to play a competitive game.”

The Minstermen’s trip to Kent will mark the start of their eighth season since being relegated from the Football League. Mills added: “York does need a Football League club. I was aware of that before I took the job last year and have been reminded about it every day since.

“I am not saying there is a desperation to get back there, just an overwhelming desire.

“I am not the sort of manager to make a grand promise about what my team is going to achieve. But what I can say is we will work hard and give it everything to achieve the success we all want.”

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