Frankie Maguire finally made his York City debut in Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Chesterfield. The 23-year-old midfielder came off the bench for the final 17 minutes at the LNER Community Stadium, ending a wait caused by plantar fasciitis suffered in pre-season.

He is the last of the club's summer signings to feature, having joined from Boston United. Maguire missed York's first six League Two matches of the campaign but is now ready to contribute to the promotion push.

"It was a nice moment for myself to get out there, but it wasn’t really one I could take in," Maguire said. The defeat, with goals from Lee Bonis and Dilan Markanday for the visitors, meant the occasion was bittersweet.

Climbing the ladder

Maguire's journey to the Football League has been a patient climb. A former Sheffield United academy player, he spent time with Bradford (Park Avenue) and Boston United in non-league football before earning his move to York this summer. He describes himself as versatile, able to operate in any of the advanced midfield roles on either flank.

His debut arrives as York look to stabilise after a mixed start. The loss to Chesterfield was their second consecutive defeat, leaving them seventh in the table with 11 points from seven games. They are four points behind leaders Barnet.

"You’ll definitely see more of me to come over the next few weeks," Maguire added. The club's ambition to reach League One is clear, and Maguire believes the squad has the quality required. He pointed to the alignment and spirit within the changing room as a foundation for success.

The road ahead

Attention now turns to a significant home match against Gillingham this Saturday. Gillingham currently sit fourth, making it a key test for York's top-seven credentials. The team will need to improve on recent results, which show one win, one draw and three losses from their last five outings.

For Maguire, the focus is on building fitness and making an impact. His return adds another option for the manager in a busy period. Ending the mini-slump against a direct rival would provide a timely boost, and Maguire aims to play his part in achieving that. The next fixture sees York host Gillingham at the LNER Community Stadium on Saturday, 21 September.

More detail at yorkpress.co.uk