This journey for York City included lifting the National League trophy and winning the Conference play-offs during the Covid-curtailed 2019-20 season. Their success is a testament to resilience and strategic planning—a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in football.

In contrast, Harrogate Town faces a daunting task after their relegation. Despite being a stronger club than when they first won the Conference play-offs, they do not automatically become one of the division’s big fish. The dynamics of promotion and relegation have always been unpredictable.

Key facts about York City’s journey:

• York City spent ten years in non-league football before achieving promotion.
• The club lifted the National League trophy this season.
• Harrogate Town’s longest-serving player is George Thomson.

The introduction of promotion and relegation in English football has created an unofficial fifth division—the Conference—since 1987. Every team promoted from this league has remarkably stayed up the following season since re-election was abolished nearly four decades ago. This statistic bodes well for York City as they prepare for their next chapter.