York City owner Julie-Anne Uggla wants to emulate fellow Canadian Ryan Reynolds after the Minstermen ended a 10-year Football League exile via a dramatic 1-1 draw at promotion rivals Rochdale.
City clinched promotion with virtually the last kick of the National League season and Uggla instantly turned her attention to competing in League Two next season.
Hollywood star Reynolds helped Wrexham propel themselves from the National League to the Championship in three successive promotions, and could even make it four in four.
“Our ambition is to go straight through League Two, to have back-to-back promotions,” she said.
“I’m going to give that other Canadian a run for his money! There are three Canadians right now in the EFL (92). There’s David Hopkinson the CEO from Newcastle, there’s Ryan Reynolds of Wrexham, and now there’s Julie-Anne Uggla.”
It was a close-run thing for York, however, as they sought the point that would guarantee the National League title and the one automatic promotion place available.
In the fifth minute of six due to be added on, Emmanuel Dieseruvwe headed in the opening goal that looked certain to secure the win Rochdale needed to overtake York in first place.
But that sparked a pitch invasion by home supporters and a six-minute delay in which time York manager Stuart Maynard was able to rally his disconsolate troops for one last push.
The team talk worked wonders and, with 103 minutes on the clock, Callum Howe’s header, from a Ryan Fallowfield cross, was saved and Josh Stones forced the loose ball over the line, despite the efforts of Tyler Smith to clear.
Referee Will Finnie consulted the linesman, who instantly gave the goal, and Maynard admitted the delay after conceding the opening goal had been key.
“I think that helped,” said Maynard. “That time to reflect. It’s twice in two weeks, we’ve had our heart broken that we’ve had one hand firmly gripped on the trophy and it got taken away for all of 60 seconds.
“But look, they’re a group of winners in there. They’re warriors. They keep going all the way to the end. I’m so proud of them all. I told them we’ve just got to get the ball forward.
“They came over and we just said, everyone go up front, bar the goalkeeper. We’ve got to get it forward.
“And Callum Howe said it, there’s going to be one big moment. And there was.”
The drama had been building all season at the top of the table and was heightened last weekend when Dieseruvwe scored a winner, nine minutes into added time, that clinched a Rochdale win at Braintree and denied York the title.
Rochdale must now prepare for the play-offs where they will face Southend United or Scunthorpe United on Sunday.
Manager Jimmy McNulty did not speak to reporters after the game as he and his players absorbed the defeat, but later said on the club’s website: “Congratulations to York City for finishing first in the National League. It’s been an incredible season, well done to them and their players.
“My emotions are at the very end of the spectrum. It’s a difficult moment to talk right now. I’m so proud of the team, so proud of the fans and how we arrived at the occasion. I loved the performance and the way they played.
“We were almost there. We were a moment away.”
