Promotion celebration to be held at club's stadium

An event to celebrate York City FC's promotion to the English Football League will be held on Wednesday at the LNER Community Stadium, the club has confirmed.

On Saturday, the Minstermen sealed promotion back to the Football League with a 1-1 draw at title rivals Rochdale with a last-gasp goal, ending a 10-year exile.

York City's announcement came after both City of York Council and North Yorkshire Police rejected proposals for a celebratory bus parade due to time constraints around preparation.

A petition calling for the council and the police to reverse their decision, saying that York City had achieved "something extraordinary", has already attracted over 2,000 signatures.

The petition's organisers said other clubs across the country worked with councils and local police forces to do similar "every single season".

The party on Wednesday at the Community Stadium would get under way at 19:30 BST and would include a trophy lift, fireworks and a quiz, York City confirmed.

A club spokesperson said: "Following lengthy discussions with both the council and police, it has been made clear that a bus parade around the city centre would not be a possible option to celebrate our National League triumph.

"As disappointing as this is, we have been working extremely hard to still hold an event for fans to gather and to be able to celebrate this moment with the club."

Speaking about Wednesday's party, the club spokesperson said: "We hope to see as many of you there as possible as we look to carry on our celebrations through the week."

Sam Leach, from York City Supporters Trust, said the refusal by the police and council to allow a bus parade to be held was a "real shame".

"It feels wrong that this should not be commemorated with an open-top parade," he said.

"Clearly, there've been some limitations to the plans, but I think that with a proactive approach between the council, North Yorkshire Police and the football club, I'm certain a solution can be found.

"Let's put this parade on and make it happen because it's memories that last a lifetime."

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