Four York City fans made an unusual 163-mile pilgrimage to Netherdale last weekend to sit on their usual seats and watch an entertaining game of football.

In January 2021 City played their last game after 88-years at the Bootham Crescent ground before their move to the LNER Community Stadium, a decision that wasn’t too popular amongst the die-hard supporters.

Many of the fixtures and fitting were sold to the fans as souvenirs but the remaining plastic seats were distributed to other clubs including Burnley, Penistone and Gala Fairydean Rovers.

Lifelong York City fan Pete Brandon told the Border Telegraph: “We are all a bit hacked off with the club at the moment. I went to my first game in 1976 at Bootham Crescent but now we’ve moved to a boring out of town ground which is called the LNER Community Stadium.

"Also the football isn’t particularly enjoyable right now so the four of us, myself, Stu Spencer, John Fountain and his brother Pete Fountain decided to have a weekend in Scotland to visit our old seats in Galashiels and take in a game.

“Coincidentally it was the opening of the new stand the day we went, conducted by a football writer called Daniel Gray, who weirdly is also a York City fan but we missed it because we were still in the pub.

“We had a great time and were made to feel really welcome. We got a guided tour of the main stand which was amazing. We felt like royalty. We even met former Gala manager and Hibs’ captain Gordon Rae who was more than happy to chat to us. We will definitely come again and I have already mentioned it to some other York City fans who seem keen to visit.

“It would be really good if the clubs could arrange a pre-season friendly as I’m sure it would be a money spinner with 200-300 York fans coming.”

Gala Fairydean Rovers posted on social media: “Thanks to York City FC for the chance of bringing a little bit of Bootham to the Borders. Upgrading our smaller stand with club colours.”