This Saturday, the tightest National League title race in recent years will culminate in a deciding, winner-takes-all match between York City FC and Rochdale AFC.
The Minstermen will make the journey with the aim to lift the trophy and clinch promotion.
Kick off is at 12:30 BST at Rochdale’s Crown Oil Arena – from travel to tickets, here’s what you need to know ahead of the fixture.
Why is the match so important?
Put simply – the result will determine whether Rochdale or York will win the league, and be promoted into League Two.
In the National League, only one club is automatically promoted each season, making this final game a nail-biting conclusion for the two top teams.
Currently on 107 points, leaders York City need only a draw to take the trophy.
On the other hand, with 105 points Rochdale need to win to secure the title and promotion – yet have home advantage and have sold out their 10,249-capacity stadium.
The second-placed team will instead enter the play-offs for another shot at promotion.
How can I watch or listen?
Tickets for the game away at Rochdale and for the live screening at York City’s LNER Community Stadium have sold out, but there are plenty of ways to watch the match.
For those who have managed to secure tickets to the screening, turnstiles open at 11:30 BST.
Radio York‘s comprehensive coverage of the title-deciding match will also begin at 11:30.
The game will be shown on TV channel and streaming service DAZN, with several venues across the city choosing to show it live.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- The Terrace, New Street: The bar has already offered 180 places to its screening, but still has capacity for 120 on-the-day attendees, according to its Facebook page.
- Haxby Sports Bar, Haxby: The venue welcomes families, and is operating a first come, first served approach to showing the game.
- The Nag’s Head, Heworth: The game will be shown on a large screening in the main taproom, the pub has confirmed.
- Bootham Tavern, Bootham: the pub confirmed it will be showing the game across several smaller screens in the venue.
Travelling to and from York’s stadium
If you’ve been amongst the lucky fans to land a ticket to the screening event at York’s home ground, there are a number of ways to get to and from the stadium.
The LNER Community Stadium is located three miles (4.8km) from York city centre.
If you’re travelling by bus, the Park & Ride service 9 runs every 10 minutes from York Station.
If you’re travelling by car, match days see the maximum amount of free parking permitted in car parks around the stadium vary from four hours to two hours, depending on arrival time.
A dedicated area within the Monks Cross Park & Ride site has 400 spaces for match day users. Parking can be paid for in advance via the football club’s website.
For dropping off and picking up only, York Stadium Management Company recommends the North Car Park.
If you’re travelling by foot, be aware that the walk can take more than an hour from the railway station, down Haxby Road and through residential streets in Huntington.
How are fans feeling?
As expected, the last few weeks have brought a whole host of emotions to the fore for fans – a mixture of optimism, nerves and excitement.
After the Minstermen’s last victory against Yeovil Town – followed shortly by Rochdale’s win against Braintree – supporters were split into confident or cautious.
Several supporters spoke to Radio York’s Richard Fox at the LNER Community Stadium following the win over Yeovil.
For Steve, securing promotion is “not a problem” for York.
“It’s a job well done isn’t it – same again next week, and a draw will do,” he said.
Feeling more pragmatic, Ryan said he “still believes” they can grab the coveted three points this weekend.
“We’ve been playing well the last couple of games,” he said.
“You can see there’s some fatigue in the squad but they keep battling on.”
“In sport, it’s about a moment – next week is our moment,” James added.
Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.