The 2025–26 York City F.C. season was York City's 104th season in existence, and the club's 4th season back in the National League after promotion from the National League North. The club competed in the National League, the FA Cup and the FA Trophy. On 28 August 2025, just 4 games into the new season, the club announced that Adam Hinshelwood would leave the club with immediate effect, with former Notts County manager Stuart Maynard announced as his successor on the same day.
On 25 April 2026, York City were promoted to League Two after a dramatic 1–1 draw against second place Rochdale A.F.C. A draw would have seen York win promotion, but Rochdale scored through Emmanuel Dieseruvwe in the 95th minute of the match. However, Josh Stones scored for York in the 103rd minute to send the 'Minstermen' into League Two.
York's points total of 108 was a new club record in a 'three points per win' season, with their 114 goals scored also a club record for goals scored in a season.For seasons up to and including 2024–25:
For 2025–26:
Pre-season and friendlies The club announced that 24 of the players contracted for the previous season would remain at the club, with 8 players leaving upon the expiration of their contract. 2 players who had been on loan at the club also returned to their parent clubs.
The club signed their first player in pre season just nine days after their 0–3 Vanarama National League Play-Off Semi-Final defeat to Oldham, recruiting experienced midfielder Ollie Banks on 30 May 2025. This marked the start of a number of transfer dealings, with Dipo Akenyemi joining Derry City on a permanent deal, and 5 players leaving on loan. Manager Adam Hinshelwood added further depth to the squad with the signings of Joe Grey from Hartlepool, and Greg Olley from Gateshead. York made several more signings before the end of the transfer window.
Long-serving player Paddy McLaughlin was granted a testimonial year "in recognition of his outstanding service to the club."
York City confirmed six pre-season friendlies against Garforth Town, Salford City, Sheffield United, Barnsley, Marine, and Spennymoor Town. The fixture against Salford City was, however, abandoned, due to allegations of racist abuse towards a Salford player. Police originally arrested a 23-year-old man from York, but he was later released as "no evidence of a hate crime" was found.
Competitions York City competed in the National League in the 2025–26 season, as well as in two cup competitions, joining the FA Cup in the fourth qualifying round and the FA Trophy in the third round.
National League
League table
Results summary
Matches York's fixtures were announced on 9 July 2025.
FA Cup
York entered the FA Cup in the fourth qualifying round. Fixtures took place on the weekend of 11 October 2025, with the draw being made following the conclusion of the third qualifying round on 30 September 2025.
FA Trophy
York entered the FA Trophy in the third round. Fixtures took place on the weekend of 13 December 2024.
Squad statistics
NameLeagueFA CupFA TrophyTotalDisciplineAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals1GKHarrison Male4602000480302DFRyan Fallowfield4+182100+105+192303DFMark Kitching442210+1046+13704DFMalachi Fagan-Walcott33+48200035+48205DFCallum Howe19+81101021+81108MFAlex Hunt44+191+101046+29709FWJosh Stones27+11181+111028+121911110FWOllie Pearce44+134200+1146+2354012FWJoe Grey21+186201024+1864014MFBen Brookes17+1720+201018+1925015DFJeff King19+30000019+303017FW Craig Hewitt0+6100101+610018MFDaniel Batty13+2311+101015+2413021MFHiram Boateng39+43200041+439022MFGreg Olley10+1541+100+1011+1741023DFJoe Felix21+410+200021+613027DFMorgan Williams11+41000011+413028MFOllie Banks22+1471+101024+15710129DFZak Johnson23+21001024+212030FWAlex Newby31+712220+1033+8142031GKGeorge Sykes-Kenworthy0000101000Player(s) who featured but departed the club during the season:6DFAsh Palmer60200080107FWTyrese Sinclair10+20000010+202011FWAshley Nathaniel-George0+8000000+800025FWMo Fadera0+2000000+1000N/ADFNico Lawrence0000101000
Transfers
In DatePos.NameFromFee1 July 2025MF Ollie Banks ChesterfieldFree 1 July 2025MF Alex Newby AltrinchamFree 1 July 2025DF Ash Palmer ChesterfieldFree 1 July 2025DF Mark Kitching Oldham AthleticFree 1 July 2025MF Hiram Boateng Mansfield TownFree 1 July 2025DF Ben Brookes Maidstone UnitedFree 15 July 2025FW Joe Grey Hartlepool UnitedFree15 July 2025MF Greg Olley GatesheadFree6 November 2025DF Nico Lawrence SouthamptonFree6 November 2025FW Craig Hewitt ChorleyFree8 January 2026DF Morgan Williams Yeovil TownFree
Out DatePos.NameToFee9 July 2025FW Dipo Akinyemi Derry CityUndisclosed1 November 2025MF Marvin ArmstrongRetiredN/A4 January 2026DF Nico LawrenceUnattachedN/A9 January 2026FW Billy Chadwick GatesheadFree
Loaned out Date fromDate toPos.NameTo3 July 20255 January 2026DF Jeff King Boreham Wood14 July 202529 December 2025FW Billy Chadwick Scunthorpe United15 July 202531 May 2026DF Cameron John Hartlepool United18 July 202531 May 2026DF Tyler Cordner AFC Totton19 July 202531 October 2025GK Rory Watson Scunthorpe United26 July 202531 May 2026FW Leone Gravata Horsham29 August 202530 June 2026DF Darragh O'Connor Raith Rovers24 October 202531 May 2026MF Paddy McLaughlin Darlington24 October 20256 January 2026FW Tyrese Sinclair Solihull Moors7 November 202515 March 2026MF Ricky Aguiar Horsham15 November 20259 January 2026FW Mo Fadera Worksop Town16 December 202526 January 2026FW Ashley Nathaniel-George Hartlepool United28 January 202631 May 2026FW Tyrese Sinclair Hartlepool United28 January 202631 May 2026GK Rory Watson Darlington7 March 20267 April 2026DF Ash Palmer FC Halifax Town13 March 202631 May 2026FW Mo Fadera Guiseley26 March 202631 May 2026MF Ricky Aguiar Eastleigh28 March 202531 May 2026FW Ashley Nathaniel-George Wealdstone
Loaned in Date fromDate toPos.NameFrom28 November 202530 June 2026DF Zak Johnson Sunderland
Released / Out of Contract DatePos.NameSubsequent clubJoin date1 July 2025DF Olly Dyson Spennymoor Town1 July 2025DF Adam Crookes Gainsborough Trinity1 July 2025FW Lenell John-Lewis Boston United1 July 2025FW Maziar Kouhyar Notts County1 July 2025FW Alex HernandezUnattached –DF Thierry Latty-Fairweather FC Halifax Town18 July 2025DF Levi Andoh Kettering Town20 July 2025FW Zanda Siziba Kidderminster Harriers1 August 2025
Awards
National League Player of the Month MonthPlayerRef.NovemberJanuary
National League Manager of the Month MonthManagerRef.NovemberJanuary
National League Team of the Season PosPlayerRef.DFMFFW
References