**Club football is finally back on Saturday, with Sunderland kicking off pre-season with a lovely away trip to York. We spoke to Michael Miles from York City's** [**Y Front Fanzine**](https://yfrontfanzine.bigcartel.com/) **to discuss the game, where to visit pre-match and the Minstermen's dramatic return to the Football League...**
**York City are back in the Football League for the first time since 2016! How does it feel?**
For the old guard like myself being back in the Football League means everything. It feels like we have been out of an exclusive club for a very long time and now we are back in. When you drop out of the Football League you get forgotten about very quickly indeed. Don’t get me wrong, you think the world is going to end when you drop out of the league, but actually there are some great things about non league. Football is certainly more pure and honest down there. Since moving to the LNER we have gained a lot of new fans, many of them youngsters. They have only ever seen us as a non league team so for them it’s going to be a whole new ball game.
**Talk us through that mad final day of the season...**
The last day of the season was an unbelievable football moment. One I don’t think we will ever see again in our York City lifetime. It had been toe-to-toe with Rochdale all season with both sides scoring goals at the death of games. We couldn’t shake each other off. I queued 11 hours to get a ticket for the final game and hundreds of loyal fans missed out on getting one. The atmosphere was electric and also so tense through the whole game. City were the better side and it looked like it was going to be a 0-0 draw which meant we would win the league. When they scored in the 95th minute (with one of the best goals I have ever seen) it felt like a rug was pulled out from under me. I sank in my seat, head in hands thinking not again, after finishing 2nd the season before on 96 points before failing in the play-offs. I felt physically sick. The pitch invasion saved us, no question. It gave our players time to recover and regroup. The referee told our players there was one minute left to play. Our captain Callum Howe went round and told everyone we would get one chance. When Stones scored it was pandemonium. It was the best moment I have ever experienced in 38 years of watching City. I went from the lowest I have ever felt at a match to the best I have ever felt in a matter of minutes. What a day and one never to be forgotten.
**Thoughts on manager Stuart Maynard?**
Maynard has the ability, seemingly, to keep all the players happy at the same time. Even the ones who are not playing. He is a positive force and he takes time out to praise our supporters - especially when we travel away from home. Tactically he gets things right and even though he isn’t involved in recruitment he gets the best out of the players week in and week out whilst maintaining high standards.
**Who are some of your best players?**
Josh Stones is incredible. An old school centre forward who makes things happen. There isn’t a player like him in the league and he is worth his weight in gold to us. So much so we gave him a 5 year deal. Pretty much unheard of at this level. Ollie Pearce is a goal machine. Over 60 goals in two seasons for us. However he also works so hard for the team and isn’t just a show pony. With those two up front it always gives us the chance to win games. I must also mention Zak Johnson. He was quality on loan from Sunderland last season. He was pretty much top of everyone York fans shopping list in terms of new players. Calm and measured on the ball he reads the game so very well indeed. We have paid a fee for his services but honestly it’s money well spent.
**Thoughts on how Sunderland have done recently?**
I was in the away end when Sunderland visited Rotherham at Christmas a few years ago. It was a torrid game and I came away thinking York could give these two teams a run for their money... I don’t think that is the case anymore. You had a tremendous season and exceeded most people expectations. There are a good few City fans who keep an eye on Sunderland and that goes back to the Denis Smith, Marco Gabbiadini and John MacPhail days. It would be great to think you could kick on and consolidate yourselves as a top half Premier League side.
**Which of our players stand out to you?**
I have to admit, I have no clue! That would go for any other Premier League side, or to be honest any other team in the EFL. I very rarely take any notice of others teams players but if I have it’s been players from teams in non league due us being in there for the past 10 years.
**Where should the travelling Sunderland fans head for pre-match food or drink?**
As I am sure you all know York is a top away day destination and I’m sure many fans in League Two will have us down as the number one place to visit. In the city there are pubs, bars and restaurants all over the place. For those fans who like a sports bar the Terrace would be a good place to go. For those who just want a pint in a proper old school pub then I recommend the Three Cranes. It’s one of those pubs that has the ability to be like New Year’s Eve on a wet Tuesday afternoon in February. I will be in there myself until 12.30pm before going to the ground to sell our fanzine. If fans are catching the Number 9 bus from Stonebow up to the ground then the Hop is close by and does great pizza as well. To be honest wherever you go you can’t go wrong in York.
**Where do you think both sides will finish in their respective leagues this season?**
I think that Sunderland will finish 9th in the Premier League and I honestly think we will win League Two with the momentum and investment we have.
**Finally, what's your score prediction for this friendly?**
It's so hard to predict a friendly score with lots of chopping and changing but I’m going to go for a 2-2 draw.