Wembley double lifts European Cup winner to new peak

Goals from Ashley Chambers and Matty Blair ensured the Minstermen hit back from falling behind after just 72 seconds to beat Luton Town in an enthralling Blue Square Premier play-off final at Wembley.

Yesterday’s triumph means York have returned to the League after eight years in exile, something that club officials insist will be worth an additional £750,000 per year in revenue.

Following on from lifting the FA Trophy by beating Newport County at Wembley the previous weekend and then being given the green light by the Council to build a new 6,000-capacity community stadium, the 2-1 victory over Luton capped a stunning period.

Proud manager Mills said: “We deserved it. From the word go this season, as a squad of players and as a club we have been superb.

“We had the odd blip but so do the best in the world. To come to Wembley two weeks running and get the double is incredible.

“If York beat the past week then they will do well. We won the FA Trophy last Saturday, got the go-ahead for the new ground on Thursday and got the hat-trick against Luton.

“It is nice to get a hat-trick in football, isn’t it? It is the best hat-trick anyone at York City will ever get.

“To say the words, ‘We are a Football League club again’ means so much to everyone connected with York. The feeling is wonderful.”

Mills, a European Cup winner as a player with Nottingham Forest when Hamburg were beaten in 1980, admitted the blowing of the final whistle against Luton was the sweetest moment of his career.

He added: “As a player, winning the European Cup and getting promoted to the Premier League (with Leicester) is great but, at the age of 50, this is the best feeling.

“It is unbelievable. When I went to York 18 months ago, I could feel the desperation that they had to get out of the Conference.

“If you get desperate then it only makes matters worse. We have worked hard to get smiles on the faces both on and off the field.”

As part of his side’s preparations for the play-off final, Mills borrowed a trick from his old Forest manager Brian Clough, by allowing his players to enjoy a relaxed pint the night before the game.

It was something Clough did most famously on the coach to Forest’s first appearance in the European Cup final in 1979 when Malmo were beaten 1-0. He had also allowed his squad to enjoy a few beers the night before that year’s League Cup final success against Southampton.

On his own attempts at relaxing his York players, Mills said: “We went for a drink in the local park on Saturday night. We had a pint of Guinness. I wouldn’t have told you that before the game but now we have won then I can.

“While having that pint, we talked about other things than the final. It was important to relax the players enough so that they expressed themselves. It was a major reason why we won.”

Asked if this was a tip picked up from Clough, Mills replied: “What you learn is that players can’t play if they are not relaxed. They need the weight taking off their shoulders.

“That is man-management, if you like. It is important.”

York’s triumphant squad will enjoy an open-top bus parade around their home city today, starting at Bootham Crescent at 6pm.