Bootham Crescent was the former home of York City Football Club, opening on August 31, 1932, and hosting its final competitive match on December 28, 2020. The Minstermen eventually moved to the brand-new York Community Stadium in 2021, with construction having begun in 2017 at an estimated cost of £44.2 million.
The new stadium, now known as the LNER Community Stadium, has a capacity of 8,500 and is situated around four miles from Bootham Crescent, on the outskirts of York city centre.
Bootham Crescent: The Stands and Terraces
Bootham Crescent had a mixture of seating and traditional terracing. Behind one goal was the David Longhurst Stand, which featured terracing for home supporters, while the opposite end was the Grosvenor Road End, an open-air terrace used by away supporters – famously complete with open-air toilets.
Two sides of the ground were all-seated. The Main Stand held 1,757 supporters, while the Popular Stand could accommodate 1,652 fans. The Popular Stand also featured supporting pillars and the TV gantry used for live broadcasts.
For a brief period between 2005 and 2010, the stadium was sponsored by KitKat, resulting in the memorable ‘KitKat Crescent’ nickname.
Bootham Crescent’s Record Attendance
The record attendance at Bootham Crescent came in an FA Cup quarter-final against Huddersfield Town in 1938, when an incredible 28,123 supporters packed into the ground.
Despite the huge crowd, there were no goals to celebrate as the match finished 0-0. Huddersfield went on to win the replay 2-1.
York City’s Famous Night Against Manchester United
One of the biggest nights in York City’s history at Bootham Crescent came against Manchester United in the second round of the League Cup during the 1995/96 season.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United had been unexpectedly thrashed 3-0 by York in the first leg at Old Trafford. Paul Barnes opened the scoring that night, setting York on their way to a famous victory.
Ferguson responded by bringing out the big guns for the second leg. United arrived at Bootham Crescent with the likes of Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Peter Schmeichel in their line-up.
Manchester United would win the battle, but not the war. A 3-1 victory on the night was not enough to overturn York City’s advantage from the first leg, meaning the Second Division side progressed to the next round.
It remains one of the most famous results in York City’s history and one of the most memorable nights ever witnessed at Bootham Crescent.
The Final Days of Bootham Crescent
The ageing stadium had become increasingly plagued by drainage and structural problems as the years went by. Its final competitive fixture took place on December 28, 2020, when York City faced Guiseley in the National League.
The Minstermen signed off with a 1-0 victory, with Josh King scoring the 27th-minute winner – the final competitive goal to be scored at Bootham Crescent.
A charity match was subsequently played at the stadium in April 2021 before Bootham Crescent was finally demolished in 2022.
What Happened to Bootham Crescent?
The former Bootham Crescent site has now been redeveloped for housing. Persimmon Homes purchased the site following its sale in April 2022, bringing an end to the story of one of York City’s most recognisable former homes.
For generations of York City supporters, however, Bootham Crescent will always be remembered for its packed terraces, famous victories, cold winter afternoons and unforgettable nights under the lights.
The stadium may be gone, but the memories of Bootham Crescent remain firmly part of York City’s history.