York celebrate Wembley appearance

York fan Sophie Hicks will return to Wembley as a director after 16 years

York City's achievement in reaching the FA Trophy final at Wembley in May is "unbelievable", according to the club's communications director Sophie Hicks.

City beat AFC Telford 2-1 on the day at KitKat Crescent and 4-1 on aggregate.

Hicks said: "It's absolutely fantastic for York City Football Club. I was 16 when we last got there (in 1993).

"The people of York really deserve this and our supporters deserve it, we've had some really tough times, but we've made it and what a fantastic occasion."

Hicks, along with her brother Jason McGill and father Rob McGill, were key figures from among the fans in saving the club from folding in 2003.

"We saved the club from the brink of extinction, we were literally 30 minutes away from closure six years ago and it's been a real, hard struggle, but this has made it all worthwhile," she added.

"This team are real players, these aren't big-time Charlies that get paid £100,000 a week, these are real people that could be working in your factory or your office.

"This is about grassroots football, and we want to take the city of York and North Yorkshire to Wembley with us."

Last season York lost to Torquay in the FA Trophy semi-finals, and the Devon side then took midfielder Nicky Wroe from York with the money they earned from their Wembley appearance.

"Obviously there's the short-term impact of a fantastic day out, but (the Wembley visit) has wider implications," she added.

It will help to bolster our playing budget for next season, it will give us a tremendous chance of getting back into the Football League and that really is our aim

York director Sophie Hicks

"This game could accumulate up to £350,000 for York City. That will help the club enormously.

"It will help to bolster our playing budget for next season, it will give us a tremendous chance of getting back into the Football League and that really is our aim."

The only bad news for York is that the league results went against them, and they are now above the Blue Square Premier relegation zone only on goal difference.

"Our league position is a little bit precarious," Hicks added, "but our players have shown they've got true heart, and I know they're going to remain focused for the rest of the league campaign."