York City's Gary Elphick: 'We need to be a collective, we need to be together'
Gary Elphick, York City's coach, has spoken out about the recent turmoil at the club, calling for unity and support from fans ahead of the new season.
What happened?
It's been a testing time for York City supporters since Sunday, when the club announced that manager Stuart Maynard had been sacked. The decision was met with widespread criticism from the fanbase, who were also unimpressed by the appointment of Scott Lindsey as his replacement.
Why it matters for York
Elphick, who has been with the club for a long time, admitted that it's been tough on himself and the players. However, he remains upbeat and hopeful for the future, after positive early interactions with Lindsey.
What comes next?
Elphick called for the club to be united, saying: "We need to be a collective, we need to be together. If we're going off in different parts, we can forget about it." He also praised the squad, saying they are a great group and will get on with the new manager.
As of now, York City is 1st in the National League, with 108 points from 46 games, and a recent form of DWWWW. The team has scored 114 goals and conceded 41, with a +73 goal difference. Their next fixture is against Rochdale at home on February 27, 2027.
Elphick also spoke about the departure of Adam Hinshelwood, saying: "It's tough, I would think that after Adam Hinshelwood's departure before that, I now know that it's football, it's not snakes and ladders."
He added: "It doesn't get any easier, but I know that I'm York's employee and I'm here to do a job for the club, for the city, for the people that are in and around it."
Elphick's comments come as the club prepares for the new season, and he urged fans to get behind the team. He said: "We're not the people paying the wages, Matt, Julie-Anne and the rest of the board are. They have done a lot of good things, I know there are a lot of people hurting and it's really difficult for me to talk about to be brutally honest with you, because I'm really hurting as well."
Elphick also spoke about the sacking of Stuart Maynard, saying: "I've spoke to Stu, he's upset. It was the start of the process in his mind, but at the end of the day, I'm not the man paying the wages. Julie-Anne, Matt and the board are, they've seen something and they want to go in a different direction."
He added: "I've just got to knuckle down with the players, they are a great group, they really are. We'll get on site with Scott at the helm and go again."
What's next for York City?
The club will face Rochdale at home on February 27, 2027, in their next fixture. Elphick's comments come as the team prepares for the new season, and he urged fans to get behind the team.
