York City have rewarded two youngsters with their first professional contracts. Academy duo Ben Farrar and Ethan Stiver will link up with Stuart Maynard's squad for next season.
What happened?
Farrar, a striker, is highly-rated by those at the club after an impressive few years developing in the academy. He earned minutes at senior level with loan spells to Bridlington Town and Whitby Town last campaign.
Why it matters for York
Farrar scored eight goals for Bridlington Town and nine goals for the Minstermen in the academy. His efforts saw him rewarded with the Academy Player of the Year award for the 2025/26 season.
What comes next?
Joining Farrar in signing a first professional contract is young midfielder Ethan Stiver. Originally from British Columbia, Stiver had spells in the academies of AFC Bournemouth and Vancouver Whitecaps. He first signed at the beginning of last season, but regularly trained with the first-team.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| League standing | 1st in National League, 108 pts, 33W-9D-4L from 46 games |
| Recent form | DWWWW |
| Lead at the top | 2 points clear of Rochdale |
| Last result | Rochdale 1-1 York (2026-04-25) |
York are currently unbeaten in their last 5 games, with 3 wins and 2 draws. The club's strong performance has put them in a good position for the upcoming season. With the addition of Farrar and Stiver to the squad, York City are looking to continue their success.
