Dan Parslow names his Best York City XI of past team-mates

It contains a £15million defender, a newly-promoted Premier League centre half and a left-back who travelled to last summer's World Cup.

Three-time Clubman of the Year Parslow has opted for a 4-4-1-1 formation and here's his chosen line-up: 

Goalkeeper - Michael Ingham

Like Parslow, the Northern Ireland international racked up more than 300 appearances for City during eight seasons of service from 2008 and 2016. Was also between the sticks for the Minstermen’s Wembley twice heroics of 2012. Since leaving Bootham Crescent, he has spent the last three campaigns at Tadcaster Albion and he turns 39 this summer.

Right-back - Ben Gibson

Arrived on loan at Bootham Crescent from Middlesbrough in February 2012 just a month after turning 19. Subsequently displayed his Premier League class by becoming an impressive performer at centre half and left back as the Minstermen finished the campaign with their two national stadium triumphs. After leaving City, the 6ft 1in defender won ten England under-21 international caps and helped Middlesbrough gain promotion to the Premier League before earning a £15million move to Burnley last summer.

Centre-back - David McGurk

Another member of City’s modern-era 300 club, having served the club over a ten-year period. Renowned for the Minstermen’s very own “Bobby Moore moment” when he executed a remarkable goal-saving tackle on Luton striker Tom Craddock in the 2010 play-off semi-finals, earning this reporter’s only ever 10/10 rating in the process. Injury problems troubled him during latter years but was still instrumental in keeping the club in the Football League under Nigel Worthington in 2013.

Centre-back - Jack O’Connell

Signed by Gary Mills in January 2013 on loan from Blackburn, the then 18-year-old defender possessed a maturity beyond his years amid the pressurised environment of saving the club’s Football League status. Nigel Worthington trusted him at centre half and left back. Now 25, he made 40 appearances as Sheffield United clinched promotion to the Premier League this season.

Left-back - James Meredith

Inspired signing by Martin Foyle, who recruited the 21-year-old left back from Shrewsbury in 2009 after he had ended the previous campaign on loan at National League North outfit Telford. Another vital cog in the Wembley-twice squad, with Gary Mills converting him into a midfielder for the play-off final win against Luton. Subsequently moved on to Bradford City and has spent the last two campaigns playing for Millwall in the Championship, while making Australia's squad for last summer's World Cup.

Right-wing - Matty Blair

Made a phenomenal contribution to City’s 2012 success, hitting the target in the FA Trophy and play-off final victories at Wembley, as well as grabbing the winning goals in each of those competition’s semi-finals. Moved on to Fleetwood after one season with the Minstermen in the Football League and went on to score the only goal of a two-legged, League Two play-off semi-final against his old club in 2014. Proved he is still the man for the big occasion when he netted for Doncaster against Charlton in the League One play-offs on Sunday. Central-midfield: Alex Lawless A cultured midfielder who provided the quality in Martin Foyle’s functional 2010 Conference play-off final team. Departed for Luton Town in 2011 and helped the Hatters win promotion three seasons later. Repeated that achievement with Leyton Orient this season at the age of 34.

Central-midfield - Alex Lawless

A cultured midfielder who provided the quality in Martin Foyle’s functional 2010 Conference play-off final team. Departed for Luton Town in 2011 and helped the Hatters win promotion three seasons later. Repeated that achievement with Leyton Orient this season at the age of 34.

Central-midfield - Neal Bishop

Great addition by Billy McEwan from Scarborough, who became the midfield heartbeat of the Scotsman’s exciting young team that reached the Conference play-offs in 2007. Was a big loss when he subsequently moved to Barnet that summer. A mainstay in the Championship for a season at Blackpool and, at 37, featured in the League Two play-offs for Mansfield this month.

Left-wing - Ashley Chambers

Still Leicester’s youngest-ever first-team player at the age of 15, Chambers helped tee up both goals in City’s 2012 FA Trophy final Wembley win against Newport, before returning the following weekend to smash in an emphatic equaliser during the 2-1 play-off final triumph over Luton. Hit double figures as the club’s top scorer in League Two the following season before moving to Cambridge. Now 29, has tormented his old club for Nuneaton and current club Kidderminster in National League North.

Number-10 - Martyn Woolford

Another astute piece of business by Billy McEwan, the Frickley Athletic winger was brought to North Yorkshire six weeks before his 21st birthday in 2006. Made the transition to full-time professional look effortless and excited City fans before 17 goals during a difficult campaign for the club in 2007/08 earned him a six-figured move to League One Scunthorpe. The following summer, he went on to score the winning goal against play-off opponents Millwall at Wembley to send the Iron into the Championship but has just been released by League Two Grimsby at the age of 33.

Striker - Clayton Donaldson

After being farmed out to the likes of Harrogate Town, Scarborough and Halifax, the speedy striker blossomed under Billy McEwan after joining City as a raw 21-year-old hopeful following his release from Hull in 2005. Plundered 44 goals in 93 matches during the next two campaigns before moving on to Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League. Subsequently won ten Jamaica caps and established himself as a trusted Championship marksman with Birmingham and Sheffield United, but only managed two goals in 34 appearances for troubled Bolton this season and is now 35.