York City today began life down in the dumps relegated to the basement division of the Nationwide League.

It was a jarring weekend for North Yorkshire football, which suffered a double blow when Scarborough dramatically lost their league status.

And what a way to go.

York had stayed above the bottom four until seven minutes before the season ended, when Paul Emblen's goal for Wycombe sealed their fate. There was no time to produce yet another great escape.

Scarborough's demise was crueller still. The club were already celebrating retaining their Football League status at the McCain Stadium when the bombshell news came through. Carlisle had scored in stoppage time. Scarborough were relegated.

With York Wasps limping from one financial crisis to another, North Yorkshire's sporting outlook is bleak.

The Minstermen have the most urgent need of an upswing. They start the long haul back without the security of having a full-time manager.

As yet Neil Thompson remains the boss in caretaker stewardship. Later this week, York's board of directors is to decide whether to appoint Thompson, who has done an admirable job over the last 11 games, or advertise the position to a wider candidature.

Thompson it was who began his duties handicapped soon after by the loss of top scorer Richard Cresswell as he moved to Sheffield Wednesday in a £1million deal. If anyone merits the opportunity to spend the cash backing assured for the task ahead by chairman Douglas Craig, it is the current man in command.

But an awesome task lies ahead for whoever is put in charge. The City chairman conceded the basement division was "a hell of a sight" more difficult to escape than to drop into.

If any evidence is needed of that one should just look back to City's last relegation fall of 1987-88. City were then marooned in the bottom reaches for five long years. For the sake of the city, as well as City, the club must bounce back as quickly as possible. Otherwise, there is a risk of the club spiralling into further decline, with support ebbing away as residents lose faith with their football team.

It is vital that the new manager is appointed swiftly. A strong leader is needed to give the club renewed impetus. The push for immediate promotion must begin this week.The city deserves better than a football team exiled in the lowest reaches of the league.

see SPORT 'Down!: Determined Tommo vows to wield axe'

see NEWS 'York City FC: Down and Out'

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