The season started brightly enough, with 4 wins in their opening four league games and expectation was high as York City sat at the top of the Division 3 table.

However, after the win at home to Southend, York proceeded to lose the next three games, conceding 8 goals. Even after this slump, the fans hopes of promotion never wavered, and at this early stage, few would have predicted what the rest of the season would have in store.However results became erratic, with wins coming here and there. But still the Minstermen remained in the top half of the table, only a few points off the play off places, which were still in reach, and the expectancy of the fans was that of a play-off place. One thing which wasn’t helping City’s cause at this stage was the influx of several uncommitted loan signings. Players such as Dean Crowe and Craig Dove failed to make an impression, and were of little help to the cause. Uncertainty over the ground situation was also playing on every fans mind as speculation of a move to Huntington Stadium was being bandied around. Plans were made for this and City faced the possibility of having to move grounds for the coming season.

Results remained erratic until December, where after a 2-0 win against Carlisle things went downhill. At this point York were still In mid table and only required a few more wins to be assured of safety. But it was at this point when City’s season began to go downhill.

Following the win against Carlisle, City lost their next seven games, a disastrous run, which only stopped after the Minstermen fought out a 0-0 draw away to Oxford United. The fans were beginning to worry, as teams below them caught and overtook the club, and the Minstermen slipped ever closer to the drop zone. More new signings, such as Andy Bell were brought in to steady the ship, but barely succeeded. Bell himself scored only 1 goal before being released at the end of the season.

After the draw with Oxford things didn’t improve, the following game City were hammered by Kidderminster Harriers, with midfielder Richard Cooper scoring the consolation goal for us. This was followed by a goalless draw against Torquay. Even though we gained another precious point, it was three points that we needed more than anything, however we hadn’t won since January and it was now March, City were long overdue a win.

On the 16th March 2004 City travelled to Darlington, a club who were at that time in trouble and in the relegation zone. The fans hoped that City could get all 3 points from this game, and put their season back on track. It was not to be though, as City were hammered by 3 goals to nil. This result put us further into trouble and lifted Darlington out of the drop zone.

Results continued to slump, with City losing the next four games. Things were beginning to get desperate now, as we sat just above the relegation zone. Points were desperately needed.

A point was duly earned at home to Bury, which really City should have won. We played superbly, and also did far more attacking than we had for a long time. The point gave us hope, with four games remaining.

However relegation was all but confirmed against Cheltenham, as the Minstermen lost 2-0 and had goalkeeper Mark Ovendale sent off. Hope was all but gone now, and relegation could be confirmed in the following fixture away to Doncaster Rovers.

Relegation was duly confirmed with a 3-1 defeat, and City slipped out of the Football League. The Fans and Board were distraught, but showed their support with a pitch invasion in the final home game against Leyton Orient.