York City are in 'one of the strongest Conferences ever... it's where we want to be,' says manager Michael Morton

TODAY is non-league day, set aside each season to encourage fans to support the poor relations of the football pyramid.
Stuart Rayner
By Stuart Rayner
Published 25th Mar 2023, 06:00 BST

But York City's trip to Wrexham is a reminder of the rude health the non-league game is in.

The Racecourse Ground is sold out for today’s Conference match, par for the course this season. Their 9,953 average gate is within 500 of the League One figure, and just below Bournemouth's in the Premier League.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, plus a Netflix crew, have raised the Dragons’ profile massively.

But it is not just them.

In November, 16,511 saw Notts County draw with Yeovil Town and York's 4,692 average only puts them sixth in the division. Eleven Conference North clubs, including Scarborough Athletic, and six in the south average over 1,000.

Wrexham tempting ex-England goalkeeper Ben Foster out of retirement to make his debut today was yet another show of force.

It shows what York are up against to re-establish themselves in the fifth tier after five seasons out.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
BIG ATTRACTION: Conference club Wrexham, co-owned by Hollywood actor, Ryan Reynolds, have got used to sold-out crowds at home this seasonBIG ATTRACTION: Conference club Wrexham, co-owned by Hollywood actor, Ryan Reynolds, have got used to sold-out crowds at home this season
BIG ATTRACTION: Conference club Wrexham, co-owned by Hollywood actor, Ryan Reynolds, have got used to sold-out crowds at home this season

"It's probably one of the strongest seasons in this division," argues manager Michael Morton. "Two or three are Football League clubs if not League One clubs in terms of the money they're spending and the managers they've got.

"That's where the players want to be. We've got enough players who've been around the Football League to use their experience and the younger players who want to play at a higher level have got to learn and kick on.

"It's a tough league for us but we've got to enjoy it and the way to enjoy it is to stay in it.

"Even in the league below there are some top teams, and you look at some of the clubs fighting relegation and the massive histories they've got.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
NEW SIGNING: Former Bradford City striker Danny Rowe is in line to make his York City debut at the Racecourse GroundNEW SIGNING: Former Bradford City striker Danny Rowe is in line to make his York City debut at the Racecourse Ground
NEW SIGNING: Former Bradford City striker Danny Rowe is in line to make his York City debut at the Racecourse Ground

"I said it a few years ago when I was coming to watch York in Conference North, the National League is almost like League One or Two. We're getting big crowds and looking at how it's competing with League Two, it's good for football."

Buoyed by the win over Dorking which opened up an eight-point gap to the relegation zone, York are set to hand a debut to deadline-day signing Danny Rowe. Alex Whittle is back in training but Ethan Ross is still out after two head injuries.

Related topics:YorkLeague OneWrexhamPremier LeagueRyan Reynolds