The dust has barely settled on the pitch invasion after Josh Stones scored the equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Rochdale that sent York City up. Now, though, attention is turning to what comes next.
Club owner Julie-Anne Uggla has already laid down a marker of intent, suggesting that York are aiming for back-to-back promotions as they bid to emulate Wrexham under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s ownership. But while her ambition is a cause for optimism for supporters of the Minstermen, there’s an element of realism among the fanbase.
Consolidating their position in League Two will be a good start for York. Bookmakers are yet to confirm odds for promotion or relegation for the 2026/27 season, but fans wanting to gauge how sportsbooks rate York’s chances can compare odds across the best UK betting sites recommended by AceOdds once markets open. For chances to improve, though, a few things need to be considered.
Top signings through the door
York have already confirmed that several players will be departing ahead of the new season, including goalkeeper Harrison Male and midfielder Dan Batty. That’s nothing uncommon for newly promoted teams, as they adjust to a higher-quality league, but it’s important that the club gets all the replacements right.
York have already made a start on new signings, confirming the acquisition of midfielder Mark Shelton from Barnet. The 29-year-old played a part in getting Salford City promoted to the Football League for the first time and featured 40 times for Barnet in 2025/26, as they finished eighth in League Two.
Bringing in players with a wealth of experience playing at League Two level or above will be imperative to not only clinching survival, but pushing further up the table. Manager Stuart Maynard has stated that promotion is only the start for York, but that quality additions, like Shelton, will be needed to improve the squad.
Make smart investments at the right time
Since York secured promotion, there’s been plenty of talk around investment in the club’s infrastructure. Local MP Luke Charters has gone as far as to suggest that a change of stadium might be necessary, deeming the current LNER Community Stadium too small for a club with York’s ambition.
Fans, however, are more sceptical about such claims. While most would welcome an expansion or a move to a bigger ground in due course, the immediate focus should be on guaranteeing the team’s place in the Football League for several years.
That means prioritising investment smartly and not getting carried away in the wake of promotion. Building a squad that can compete in the EFL is the main objective, but there is scope for potential investment in the club’s training facilities at Wigginton Road, as that will aid player development and recruitment, which will directly impact league position.
A time will come for York City to expand its stature and all its infrastructure. But doing too much, too soon might come back to bite them next year.
