It’s a fourth new horizon for the Fleet this weekend as York City’s LNER Community Stadium can be ticked off travelling fans’ list after first-time visits already this season to Rochdale, Southend United and Oldham Athletic.
It’s 12 years since we last travelled to York and our previous eight visits were all at the Minstermen’s old ground at Bootham Crescent (although from 2005–10 a sponsorship deal memorably renamed that venue the KitKat Crescent).
In the intervening time, York’s new stadium has sprung up with a capacity of 8,500. Owned by the local council, the stadium also hosts York Rugby League Club. Planning permission was granted in 2015 and construction took from 2017–20. The colourful arrangement of seating recalls the red, white and blue of the football club and the yellow of the rugby league club.
The stadium was used for eight games in the 2021 Women’s Rugby League World Cup and will be used for the Women’s Rugby Union World Cup in 2025.
Fleet fans will be situated in a portion of the West Stand for their first visit (see ticketing arrangements here) and those intrepid travellers will be seeking similar jubilation that followed our first-time trips to Rochdale and Oldham already this season.
With just two days until Christmas Day, it’s another loyal expedition for the travelling fans who have previously experienced a few long trips over the festive season – quite literally, to quote Chris Rea, Driving Home For Christmas. In 2017 and again the following year, the Fleet went all the way up to AFC Fylde two and three days before Christmas. And back in 1963, Fleet journeyed a long way west to Bath on December 23rd.
The 23rd is not quite the nearest to Christmas we’ve ever played, however, as there have been three Christmas Eve matches in our history – home to Weymouth and Cheltenham Town in 1949 and 1955, then all the way to Trowbridge and back in 1966!
Of course, a few older fans might remember the traditional Christmas Day fixtures, 11 of which were held from 1946-59. Luckily for the Fleet supporters hoping to make it back in good time for Christmas Dinner in those days, all 11 of them were at Stonebridge Road!
Safe travels to York to everybody this weekend and we hope you’re back in plenty of time for Christmas Dinner 2023!
