An interesting article by Dave Fletts in the York Evening Press about where the players who lined up for York against the Shrimps in the Conference play-off semi-final are now.
Tom Evans - the former Scunthorpe goalkeeper was described by manager Billy McEwan as his best signing of the season prior to the play-offs.
But his error gifted Morecambe a crucial equaliser in the second leg and he endured a difficult second campaign at the club, resulting in his release by Colin Walker. Evans, now 33, went on to join Alfreton Town in Blue Square North, but lost his place in December 2008, moving on loan to Gainsborough before signing for UniBond League outfit Boston United last summer.
Anthony Lloyd - filled in for City in both full-back positions during the 2006/7 campaign but was released after the play-off defeat, only to be resigned four months later. Made surplus to requirements a second time, he has spent the last two seasons at recently-crowned UniBond League premier division champions Guiseley. Lloyd has not played, however, since he suffered a nasty knee injury at Kendal in November.
David McGurk - after three successful loan spells from Darlington, McGurk made the permanent move to Bootham Crescent at the start of the 2006/7 season having won The Press Player of the Year award during the previous campaign. He is the club's longest-serving player.
Daniel Parslow - having joined City from Cardiff at the start of the 2006/7 campaign, a then 21-year-old Parslow clinched a regular starting place in the team in the final month of the season. He had previously been in and out of the side due to the arrivals of a succession of loan signings such as Jason Goodliffe, Janos Kovacs and Luke Foster.
Craig James - signed on loan from Darlington in March 2007, left-back James was thrust into play-off action for City, but moved on to Livingston after the Morecambe defeat. Was then cast adrift into the football wilderness, spending a brief spell at Barrow during the 2008/9 season without playing a game and starting this campaign on trial at Darlington. When he failed to secure a deal, the 27-year-old full-back wound up at Harrogate Town.
Martyn Woolford - snapped up by McEwan from UniBond League outfit Frickley just before his 20th birthday on transfer deadline day in August, Woolford made an effortless step up to the highest echelon of non-League football. In 2007/8, he scored 17 goals and scooped The Press Player of the Year award. He went on to join Scunthorpe in a six-figure sum on the eve of the following season and got the winning goal in last year's League One play-off final win against Millwall. Has adapted well to Championship life, making 39 appearances.
Neal Bishop - after signing from Scarborough halfway through the previous campaign, Bishop rejected a new deal at Bootham Crescent weeks after the play-off defeat and joined League Two outfit Barnet. He was made captain of the Bees, but moved on to Notts County last summer. Bishop is in line to win a championship medal with the promoted Magpies.
Emmanuel Panther - arrived at Bootham Crescent in 2005 following spells with Scottish trio St Johnstone, Partick Thistle and Brechin City in his native country. Made an immediate impact with his loping runs, but was released by Colin Walker a year after the Morecambe defeat. Panther fixed himself up with a three-year deal at Exeter, however, who were newly-promoted to the Football League only to struggle to break into their side and was quickly loaned out to Rushden. His spell at Nene Park was disastrous with two red cards in three outings and, having returned to Exeter, he ended the season with 22 games for the Devon club. Panther handed in a transfer request last August and has spent this season on loan at Morecambe, where he has played 17 matches.
Steve Bowey - joined City from Queen of the South at the start of the 2006/7 season and his enthusiasm and energy belied his 32 years. He fired City ahead from the penalty spot in the second leg at Morecambe, but that match would prove his last game for the club as he chose to return to his north-east roots, helping Gateshead win the UniBond League play-offs before moving on to Newcastle Blue Star, where he spent a season as player-manager before the club folded. He is playing for Ayr United at the age of 35, having left Bedlington Terriers in February.
Craig Farrell - won The Press Player of the Year award for 2006/7 in his first season after signing for the club from Exeter. He proved a clever foil for Clayton Donaldson but, even though Farrell scored 15 goals in the following campaign, he struggled to hold down a place at City thereafter. Loaned out to Oxford for the second half of last season, he was then part of a summer swap deal that took him to Rushden. City were given Michael Rankine in return and paid £10,000. Farrell has gone on to score 11 goals and is now looking forward to a play-off semi-final meeting with Oxford.
Clayton Donaldson - the 2006/7 top scorer tarnished his hero status at Bootham Crescent when news broke during the January transfer window that Hibernian had taken advantage of a loophole in the Bosman ruling to acquire his services on a free transfer for the following season. After that, Donaldson, who had been plucked from the obscurity of Hull City's reserves by McEwan, only scored in three of the club's last 19 games, leading to speculation about his commitment despite still managing 26 goals for the campaign. He did, however, show bravery in the play-off, semi-final second leg when he was injured in a challenge with Morecambe 'keeper Steven Drench. Despite scoring six goals in just 13 starts at Easter Road, he was allowed to leave for Crewe after one season. where he signed a three-year contract. He only managed seven goals last season, but has struck 13 times for Dario Gradi's side in the current campaign despite breaking his leg in August.
Subs (in the second leg) Richard Brodie - signed for City at the age of 19 during the 2006/7 January transfer window having impressed during the Minstermen's FA Cup clash at Northern League outfit Newcastle Benfield Bay Plastics. Brodie was a 77th-minute sub for Donaldson in the second leg at Morecambe. Brodie went on to hit 14 goals the following campaign and then 23 last season despite being loaned out to Barrow. He has continued to blossom under Foyle, finding the net 36 times in 2009/10 and leads The Press Player of the Year standings.
Mark Convery - the cultured midfielder's 55th-minute introduction as a sub for Bowey at Morecambe was his last appearance of a two-year spell with the Minstermen. He went on to join Cambridge, but left last March after flitting in and out of their team for two years. He joined Newcastle Blue Star before making a surprise return to Darlington, where he has made 21 appearances and scored one goal against Leeds in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy this season.
Nathan Peat - fiery full-back who also proved a free-kick specialist in two seasons with City. He was also released after coming on for James in the 53rd minute at Morecambe. Subsequently signed for City's non-League neighbours Harrogate Town, but moved to current club Gainsborough Trinity last March.
