Liam Agnew

Blink and you would have missed the on-loan Harrogate Town midfielder’s short stint at Bootham Crescent. Featured in some of the season’s most uninspiring matches at the turn of the year. Probably wasn’t helped by the level of disarray at the club during his stay.

Appearances: 4 (1); Goals: 0

Rating: 5/10

Tom Allan

Never played again for City following the 4-1 home humiliation to Bradford Park Avenue in November and swiftly loaned to Alfreton where he spent the remainder of the season. Height always makes him a threat at set-pieces. But looked a little hesitant in his defensive play during handful of City outings.

Appearances: 4 (2); Goals: 0

Rating: 5/10

Adam Bartlett

Made a string of mistakes during the early days of Steve Watson’s reign but had previously been responsible for some outstanding saves in between the City sticks. Rescued the team from heavier losses in several games prior to Watson improving the team’s defensive resilience. Generously agreed to make way when it was deemed that Ryan Whitley needed to cut his teeth in senior football at the tail-end of the season.

Appearances: 43; Goals: 0

Rating: 7/10

Hamza Bencherif

Finally added goals to his game after more than 80 games without hitting the target for the Minstermen. Always looked vulnerable defensively, though. Retained a starting place longer than should have been the case before only being used sporadically during the second half of the campaign.

Appearances: 21 (5); Goals: 3

Rating: 4/10

Tom Bradbury

Slightly left-field loan signing by Steve Watson from Dundee. Didn’t look comfortable with the pace and power of sixth-tier football in England. Given a particularly torrid time by Reece Styche at Alfreton and team conceded eight goals during his three outings.

Appearances: 3; Goals: 0.

Rating: 4/10

Alex Bray

Somewhat of a throwback with his old-fashioned wing play. His ability to go past players with a trick or burst of acceleration excited. But form became a little patchy, before his loan spell from Rotherham ended following a petulant red card in the 5-1 debacle at Darlington.

Appearances: 9 (2); Goals: 1

Rating: 6/10

Scott Burgess

Provided a welcome busyness to City’s midfield following his loan arrival from Bury. Capable of threading balls through opposition defences and, whilst he should have probably threatened goal more, his one strike for the Minstermen at Kidderminster was an absolute belter. If he can bulk up a little could certainly kick on in the game.

Appearances: 15 (1); Goals: 1

Rating: 6/10

Jordan Burrow

Not a natural goalscorer, but his work-rate and strength, supplemented by a healthy penalty conversion rate, helped him top the club’s charts with 19. Also headed the assists table with 12 and showed his character by being named skipper by Sam Collins – a position he retained until the end of the season - having originally been left out of the squad by the former youth-team coach. Suffered two significant barren runs in front of goal, when he also struggled to get into goalscoring positions, but always a willing target for the team.

Appearances: 42 (4); Goals: 19

Rating: 7/10

Joe Davis

On first impressions, looked a useful defensive addition when recruited on loan from Port Vale in November. After some solid early displays, standards slipped a little with a couple of mistakes leading to goals. Allowed to return to parent club on Steve Watson’s arrival at the club.

Appearances: 10; Goals: 0

Rating: 6/10

Kennedy Digie

Made a good first impression on his loan arrival from Kidderminster with his refreshing athleticism and strength at the heart of defence. Was prone to risk-taking in consequent appearances. Injury also hindered his progress and ended season as a substitute at Guiseley.

Appearances: 7; Goals: 0

Rating: 6/10

Nathan Dyer

Trusted with ten starts at the age of 17 by Sam Collins despite being in direct competition with the reliable Kallum Griffiths for a right-back/wing-back spot. A little raw, as to be expected, with some of his defensive nous. Very energetic going forward, though, and didn’t look overawed, as witnessed by the cross he sent in for David Ferguson’s equaliser in the FA Cup at Swindon.

Appearances: 10 (1); Goals: 0

Rating: 6/10

David Ferguson

Only four outfield performers made more appearances for the team, but the left back didn’t star in enough. Generally reliable defensively, Steve Watson might still need some convincing that the ex-England C international can provide a consistent level of quality from out on the flanks should the former Gateshead boss be looking to employ wing-backs next season, as he has done in the past. Really needs to now take responsibility and meet the lofty expectations that greeted his move from Darlington 18 months ago.

Appearances: 32 (5); Goals: 2

Rating: 5/10

Kallum Griffiths

Consistent performer at right back who, when encouraged to go forward, was capable of delivering dangerous crosses into the opposition box. Had a spell in midfield under Sam Collins, where he broke up play effectively and spread play with a range of accurate passes. Clean striker of a ball too and should try his luck from distance on a more regular basis.

Appearances: 39; Goals: 1

Rating: 7/10

Alex Harris

Technically-gifted with the ball, highlighted by his third-placed finish on the club’s assists table despite starting less than a third of games. Not so aware out of possession, however, as demonstrated most starkly by Spennymoor’s third goal on Good Friday when he failed to track a forward runner and the match was subsequently lost. No other game provoked Steve Watson’s ire more and, as players are without the ball a lot more than they have it during contests, such lapses are not easily overlooked.

Appearances: 15 (13); Goals: 2

Rating: 5/10

Lewis Hawkins

Destined to become a player few fans recall with the passing of each coming season. Put a reasonable amount of effort in but pulled up few trees in terms of midfield quality. A goal against Kidderminster in the FA Trophy was the highlight of his nine loan outings.

Appearances: 8 (1); Goals: 1

Rating: 5/10

Simon Heslop

One of the better performers during a disappointing start to the season in an anchoring midfield role. Scored a spectacular late winner at Southport. Injury then meant he didn’t manage a single game under Steve Watson.

Appearances: 14 (1); Goals: 1

Rating: 5/10

Joe Ironside

Huge disappointment following the understandable anticipation surrounding his November loan arrival from Kidderminster. A proven marksman at sixth-tier level, the former Sheffield United striker gave a series of sluggish and half-hearted performances during ten outings for the Minstermen. Even more frustratingly, after his return to Aggborough, he went on to hit the back of the net on a regular basis during the rest of the season.

Appearances: 4 (6); Goals: 0

Rating: 4/10

Alex Kempster

Has the ability to work himself into some excellent positions but needs to clear his head and pick out the right pass or cross to fully capitalise on that dangerous knack and improve on an assist tally of two this term. Could be more robust and still gets his fair share of impact injuries – the most recent seeing him replaced on the final day of the season. Scored a cracking goal against Spennymoor, though, and would be good to see him operating between the posts more.

Appearances: 18 (3); Goals: 5

Rating: 6/10

Macaulay Langstaff

City’s most improved player over the course of the season. Looked naïve and raw at the start of the campaign, shooting from inadvisable positions and needlessly straying offside. But decision-making was much better following his return from a loan spell at Bradford Park Avenue and posed several teams problems with his positive play drifting inside from the left flank, scoring five goals and contributing four assists in his final seven appearances of the campaign.

Appearances: 23 (12); Goals: 10

Rating: 7/10

Josh Law

Peripheral in too many games and, aside from an excellent crossfield pass that led to a Macaulay Langstaff goal at Hereford, hard to recall many individual highlights. Didn’t manage a goal from midfield and some matches passed by without him making a tackle. Has technical ability but needed to impose himself more.

Appearances: 25 (6); Goals: 0

Rating: 4/10

Fergus McAughtrie

Teenager who made a very promising debut during Sam Collins’ first game in caretaker charge at Brackley. The former City youth coach’s commitment to nurturing young talent in the senior arena was soon compromised, though, by the need to halt the club’s slide down the table. Still a bit of a surprise when the son of former Bootham Crescent defender Dave was released before the end of the year.

Appearances: 2 (1); Goals: 0

Rating: 6/10

Paddy McLaughlin

Initially, took time to make his presence felt after returning to the club on loan from Hartlepool. As his fitness levels improved, though, his quality began to shine through – both in general play and on dead-ball duty. Scored or claimed an assist in five of the last six fixtures.

Appearances: 15; Goals: 3

Rating: 7/10

David Mirfin

The back line never looked more organised than when the on-loan Mansfield defender was recruited on loan by Steve Watson. Always in the right position and orchestrated those around him. Unfortunately, issues with the serious knee injury that meant he had not kicked a ball for 14 months prior to joining the Minstermen, flared up, leaving him unable to play any part in the last month of the season.

Appearances: 7; Goals: 0

Rating: 7/10

Adriano Moke

Found some consistency under Steve Watson, where he used his energy to gain and retain possession for the team. Just one assist all season – an unintentional ricochet that sent Macaulay Langstaff clear on goal at FC United of Manchester – once more illustrated his tendency to play safe rather than inflict damage on opposition teams. His three strikes were all goal of the season contenders though.

Appearances: 34 (5); Goals: 3

Rating: 6/10

Jasper Moon

On-loan 18-year-old signing from Barnsley who belied his age and physique to compete competently in National League North. Had the pace and determination to recover from his occasional mistakes and rescue situations. Has potential for a good career in the game, especially if he grows a little taller.

Appearances: 3; Goals: 0

Rating: 6/10

Sean Newton

Endured an unconvincing first six months of the season, when he struggled to regain full fitness following a couple of injuries and fell out of favour under Sam Collins. Reinvigorated following Steve Watson’s appointment and a switch to centre back. Commanding in the air at the heart of City’s defence during general play and capable of starting attacking moves with long accurate passes from deep positions, as well as always offering a varied goal threat.

Appearances: 35 (2); Goals: 6

Rating: 6/10

Jon Parkin

Disappointing manner in which to end his City career. By his own admission, Parkin needs to be playing regularly to stay fit and rarely made an impact when introduced from the bench as he struggled to adapt to the pace of games. Turned back the clock to lead the City line with intelligence against Boston but finished the season without a goal in 14 appearances following his October effort against Nuneaton.

Appearances: 5 (19); Goals: 3

Rating: 4/10

Dan Parslow

Typical that the City stalwart’s second spell with the club has ended in serious injury, just as his first did. Always willing to put his neck on the line for the cause, his campaign was curtailed by severe concussion in February. Leaves the club positioned tenth on the all-time City appearances list, but the ex-Wales under-21 international was puzzlingly overlooked by both Martin Gray and Sam Collins for long periods, despite the team’s clear defensive deficiencies.

Appearances: 3 (1); Goals: 0

Rating: 5/10

Russ Penn

Not as mobile as during his first spell with the club, but still demonstrated positional sense in the middle of the pitch. Allowed to leave for Kidderminster in November. But, with Simon Heslop injured, that appeared a mistake as the team lacked midfield protection for a vulnerable back four, especially in away games.

Appearances: 11 (4); Goals: 0

Rating: 5/10

Joe Tait

Lost his way after a promising start to the season when he was made captain and seemed to thrive on the responsibility. Turning point in his City career under Sam Collins was his red card for a petulant off-the-ball incident during a 4-1 home defeat to Bradford Park Avenue. Never wore the armband again but did look assured and vocally commanding during his return to the fold late in the campaign.

Appearances: 26; Goals 2

Rating: 5/10

Ryan Whitley

Never quite matched the high standards of his senior debut during subsequent four outings in the team. Kicks the ball well and still looks to have all the tools to fulfil the promise he showed in that maiden appearance. Mistake at Chester might have knocked his confidence a little but has a favourable frame to work on improving his judgement when dealing with high balls into the penalty box.

Appearances: 5; Goals 0

Rating: 6/10

Jake Wright

Netted fewer times than defender Sean Newton, which will be a disappointment for a striker expected to be heading the goal charts when signed last summer. In his defence, the team’s shape for large parts of the season probably did not aid his cause. Recruited by Martin Gray to play off the shoulder of either Jordan Burrow or Jon Parkin, he was mainly asked to play on the flanks where he found it difficult to plough his way through more bodies and often lost possession or gave away fouls.

Appearances: 18 (10); Goals: 5

Rating: 5/10

Wes York

Couldn’t establish himself as a regular starter under either Sam Collins or Steve Watson and fell short of the standards envisaged following his summer move from Gateshead. Never short on graft but required a little more craft with his play in the final third of the pitch. As a winger also needed to tee up more than the three goals he created for team-mates.

Appearances: 18 (15); Goals: 4

Rating: 5/10