<!-- copy of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bootham_Crescent -->
{{short description|sports stadium in York, North Yorkshire, England}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Featured article}}
{{Infobox venue
| name                = Bootham Crescent
| former names        = KitKat Crescent
| image               = Bootham Crescent David Longhurst Stand 21-03-2009 1.jpg
| image_size          = 250
| image_alt           = One of the stands of the Bootham Crescent association football ground, with supporters waving flags
| caption             = David Longhurst Stand in 2009
| coordinates         = {{coord|53|58|10|N|1|5|18|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map         = UK England
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Bootham Crescent
| fullname            = Bootham Crescent
| location            = [[York]], North Yorkshire, England
| built               = 1932
| opened              = 31 August 1932
| expanded            =
| closed              =
| demolished          =
| owner               = [[York City F.C.]]
| operator            = York City F.C.
| surface             = Grass
| architect           = Ward & Leckenby
| capacity            = 8,256 (3,409 seated)
| record_attendance   = 28,123 (York City vs [[Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|Huddersfield Town]], [[FA Cup]], 5 March 1938)
| dimensions          = {{convert|104|by|64|m|yd}}
| tenants             = York City F.C. (1932–present)<br>[[York City Knights]] (2016–present)
}}
'''Bootham Crescent''' is a sports stadium in [[York]], North Yorkshire, England, and is the home of [[association football]] club [[York City F.C.|York City]] and [[rugby league]] club [[York City Knights]]. With a capacity of 8,256, the ground is located near the centre of the city, just over a mile from [[York railway station]].

York City leased land at Bootham Crescent from [[York Cricket Club]] as a replacement for their ground at [[Fulfordgate]], which was on the outskirts of the city. The ground was constructed in four months, and officially opened on 31 August 1932. During the Second World War, the Popular Stand was converted into an [[air-raid shelter]], and the ground suffered slight damage when a bomb landed on houses along the Shipton Street End. York purchased Bootham Crescent for £4,075 in September 1948. Floodlights were fitted at the ground in 1959, and were replaced by ones twice as powerful in 1995. A number of improvements were made in the early 1980s, with a gymnasium, offices and a lounge for officials built.

The David Longhurst Stand opened in 1991 after a roof was erected on the Shipton Street End. It was named after the former York player [[David Longhurst]], who died during a match at the ground in 1990. Bootham Crescent hosted football in [[English Football League|the Football League]] from 1932 to 2004 and from 2012 to 2016, both spells ending after York were [[Promotion and relegation|relegated]] into [[non-League football]]. The [[Naming rights|ground was renamed]] KitKat Crescent from 2005 to 2010 as part of a sponsorship deal with [[Nestlé]]. York are expected to move to a [[York Community Stadium|community stadium]] at Monks Cross in [[Huntington, City of York|Huntington]] in mid 2019, and the Bootham Crescent site will be used for housing.

Bootham Crescent comprises four stands: the Main Stand, the Popular Stand, the David Longhurst Stand and the Grosvenor Road End. The ground has held a league representative match, neutral club matches, and schoolboy and youth international matches. Other than football, it has hosted a concert, a grand firework display, [[American football]] and rugby league matches and [[beer festival]]s. The record attendance of 28,123 was set in March 1938, for an [[FA Cup]] match against [[Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|Huddersfield Town]]. The highest seasonal average attendance of 10,412 was achieved in [[1948–49 Football League Third Division North|1948–49]].

==History==
===Construction and early years===
[[York City F.C.]] played at [[Fulfordgate]] in [[Fulford]], on the southern outskirts of [[York]], from 1922 to 1932.<ref name="Football Grounds of Britain 420">{{cite book |first=Simon |last=Inglis |title=Football Grounds of Britain |year=1996 |edition=3rd |publisher=CollinsWillow |location=London |isbn=978-0-00-218426-7 |page=420}}</ref> It was difficult for most supporters to reach, being a good distance from the [[York railway station|railway station]], and the tram service to Fulford only had a single track.<ref>{{cite book |first=David |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |year=2008 |publisher=Breedon Books |location=Derby |isbn=978-1-85983-633-0 |pages=108–109}}</ref> Attendances declined in the club's [[1930–31 Football League Third Division North|second]] and [[1931–32 Football League Third Division North|third seasons]] in [[English Football League|the Football League]], which the directors blamed on Fulfordgate's location.<ref name="Football Grounds of Britain 420"/> One director, G. W. Halliday, became convinced that the only solution was to move to a new ground.<ref name="The Complete Record 109">{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=109}}</ref> [[York Cricket Club]] left Bootham Crescent, their home for around 50 years, for a [[Wigginton Road Cricket Ground|new ground at Wigginton Road]] in January 1932.<ref>{{cite web|title=Our history |url=http://www.yorkcricketclub.co.uk/the-club/history |publisher=York Cricket Club |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930203429/http://www.yorkcricketclub.co.uk/the-club/history |archivedate=30 September 2015 |deadurl=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://search.findmypast.co.uk/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0000378%2f19311223%2f213 |title=County cricket for York? |newspaper=Northern Daily Mail |location=Hartlepool |date=23 December 1931 |accessdate=27 February 2018 |page=9 |subscription=yes |via=Findmypast}}</ref> Preliminary discussions and visits to Bootham Crescent took place,<ref name="The Complete Record 109"/> and the directors believed that renting the ground would be cheaper than repaying the debts on Fulfordgate.<ref name="Football Grounds of Britain 420"/> Further, Bootham Crescent was situated near the centre of the city, and the population living within a mile of the site was, at 30,000, 10 times that within a similar radius of Fulfordgate.<ref name="The Complete Record 109"/> However, two former directors argued that attendances at many grounds had fallen during the Great Depression, and that the approaches and surrounds to Bootham Crescent were limited.<ref name="Football Grounds of Britain 420"/>

[[File:Bootham Crescent OS OpenData map 2015.png|thumb|upright|alt=A map showing the Bootham Crescent association football ground and its surroundings|2015 [[Ordnance Survey]] map, showing the ground's irregular shape, and how it is hemmed in from four sides]]

The directors were unanimous that a change should be made, and a special meeting of the shareholders was held on 26 April 1932.<ref name="The Complete Record 109"/> The move to Bootham Crescent on a 21-year lease was approved by 115&nbsp;votes to 37.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |pages=109–110}}</ref> The site of York's new home was of an irregular shape and was hemmed in from four sides, with a narrow track to the south, barracks to the west, a school and almhouses to the north and terraced houses to the east.<ref name="Football Grounds of Britain 420"/> Nonetheless, the grounds of the city's football, [[cricket]] and [[rugby league]] teams were now within a few hundred yards of each other.<ref name="Football Grounds of Britain 420"/> The ground was renovated over the summer of 1932; the area was drained and then built to the design of local architects Ward & Leckenby.<ref name="The Complete Record 111">{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=111}}</ref> The Popular Stand was erected on the west side using sections of the terrace cover at Fulfordgate, with the Main Stand built opposite.<ref name="Football Grounds of Britain 420"/> Terraces were banked up in the wedge-shaped areas behind the goals.<ref name="Football Grounds of Britain 420"/> After four months of construction, Bootham Crescent was ready for the [[1932–33 Football League Third Division North|1932–33 season]],<ref name="The Complete Record 111"/> with an initial capacity of over 30,000.<ref name="York City's New Ground">{{cite news |url=https://search.findmypast.co.uk/search/british-newspapers?date=1932-08-31&newspaper=yorkshire%20post%20and%20leeds%20intelligencer&keywords=ceremony |title=York City's new ground: Formal opening ceremony to-night |newspaper=The Yorkshire Post |location=Leeds |date=31 August 1932 |accessdate=27 February 2018 |page=3 |subscription=yes |via=Findmypast}}</ref>

The ground was officially opened on 31 August 1932, when York played [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]] in a [[Football League Third Division North|Third Division North]] match.<ref name="The Complete Record 111"/> The club president, Sir John Hunt, marked the occasion by cutting a ribbon of the club's colours of chocolate and cream.<ref name="The Complete Record 111"/> In attendance were the Lord Mayor of York, the Sheriff of York, the vice-president of the Football League, the treasurer of [[the Football Association]] (FA) and the local Member of Parliament.<ref name="York City's New Ground"/> York player [[Tom Mitchell (English footballer)|Tom Mitchell]] scored the first goal at the ground in a 2–2 draw, played before 8,106 supporters.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=258}}</ref> In the first four seasons at Bootham Crescent, attendances were not higher, and were sometimes lower than at Fulfordgate.<ref name="Football Grounds of Britain 421">{{cite book |last=Inglis |title=Football Grounds of Britain |page=421}}</ref> There were problems with the ground in its early years; the quality of the pitch was questioned,<ref name="Football Grounds of Britain 421"/> and the ''[[Lincolnshire Echo]]'' remarked in April 1937 that the pitch was "almost a morass, with extensive pools of water in front of the goals".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://search.findmypast.co.uk/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0000332%2f19370410%2f138 |title=Mud-bath for City: Play at York only just possible |newspaper=Lincolnshire Echo |location=Lincoln |date=10 April 1937 |accessdate=27 February 2018 |page=6 |subscription=yes |via=Findmypast}}</ref> There was an incident in March 1934 where the referee and linesmen were found unconscious in their dressing room, due to fumes from a faulty heater.<ref name="Football Grounds of Britain 421"/>

===Improvements and cup runs===
The ground first hosted a match against [[Football League First Division|First Division]] opposition on 12 January 1935 when York played [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] in an [[FA Cup]] third-round match, which set a new club record attendance of 13,612.<ref name="The Complete Record 111"/> Attendance records were set at four successive stages of the [[1937–38 FA Cup]], culminating in the 28,123 attendance for the sixth-round match against [[Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|Huddersfield Town]] on 5 March 1938.<ref name="The Complete Record 111"/> By now the ground's capacity was around 23,000, and seats were placed around the pitch to accommodate more fans.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://search.findmypast.co.uk/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0000378%2f19380209%2f191 |title=Keen defences will offer little scope: Cramped ground a problem for 'Borough |newspaper=Northern Daily Mail |location=Hartlepool |date=9 February 1938 |accessdate=27 February 2018 |page=7 |subscription=yes |via=Findmypast}}</ref> During the Second World War, the tunnel at the back of the Popular Stand was used as an [[air-raid shelter]] for pupils and staff of Shipton Street School.<ref name="The Complete Record 111"/> The ground was slightly damaged after the [[strategic bombing|air-raid]] on York in April 1942, when houses along the Shipton Street End were bombed.<ref name="The Complete Record 111"/> Considerable improvements were made in the immediate post-war period.<ref name="The Complete Record 112">{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=112}}</ref> Deeper drainage and the concreting of the banking at the Grosvenor Road End were completed, and loudspeaking equipment was installed.<ref name="The Complete Record 112"/>

[[File:Bootham Crescent entrance 1992.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Entrance to the Bootham Crescent association football ground, the entrance sign and a stand visible|Entrance to the ground (1992 picture), with the Main Stand visible to the left of the entrance sign]]

It was announced at the shareholders' annual meeting in September 1948 that York had purchased Bootham Crescent for £4,075, with the club's finances in a strong position at the time.<ref name="The Complete Record 112"/> Bigger crowds were recorded around the country in the post-war period, and York achieved five-figure average attendances in 1948–49 and 1955–56.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |pages=43, 235}}</ref> Over the late 1940s and early 1950s, concreting was completed on the terracing in the Popular Stand, due to the efforts of the supporters' club, and the Shipton Street End.<ref name="The Complete Record 112"/> York reached the semi-final of the [[1954–55 FA Cup]], and two matches from this run were played at Bootham Crescent: the first-round match against [[Scarborough F.C.|Scarborough]], which York won 3–2, and the fifth-round match against [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]], which was won 3–1 before a crowd of 21,000.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=302}}</ref> During the summer of 1955, the Main Stand was extended towards Shipton Street, funded by profits gained from the FA Cup run and a stand extension fund.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |pages=112–113}}</ref>

A concrete wall was built at the Grosvenor Road End for over £3,000 in 1956, as a safety precaution and as a support for additional banking and terracing.<ref name="The Complete Record 113">{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=113}}</ref> These improvements saw capacity extended to 23,600.<ref name="1950's">{{cite web |title=1950's |url=http://www.ycfc.net/citys-history/75-years-at-bootham-crescent/1950s.php |publisher=York City F.C. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011031510/http://www.ycfc.net/citys-history/75-years-at-bootham-crescent/1950s.php |archivedate=11 October 2008 |deadurl=yes}}</ref> Two FA Cup ties against First Division opposition were held at the ground in [[1957–58 Football League Third Division North|1957–58]]: [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] were beaten 3–0, followed by a 0–0 draw with [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]], which drew a capacity crowd of 23,600.<ref name="1950's"/> Floodlights were installed at the ground in the summer of 1959, costing £14,500, a substantial part of which was raised by a supporters' club.<ref name="The Complete Record 113"/> They were officially switched on for a [[Exhibition game#Association football|friendly]] against [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] on 28 October 1959, which Newcastle won 8–2 before a crowd of 9,414.<ref name="The Complete Record 114">{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=114}}</ref>

===Further improvements and a new stand===
York reached the quarter-final of the [[1961–62 Football League Cup|1961–62 League Cup]], and in the earlier rounds beat [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]], [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]], [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] and [[A.F.C. Bournemouth|Bournemouth]] at Bootham Crescent.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=316}}</ref> The half-time scoreboard at the Shipton Street End ceased to be used by 1965, but remained as advertising boarding.<ref name="The Complete Record 114"/> On 5 May 1969, referee [[Roy Harper (referee)|Roy Harper]] collapsed and died on the pitch during a match against [[Halifax Town A.F.C.|Halifax Town]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=330}}</ref> Seats were installed in the Popular Stand for [[1974–75 York City F.C. season|1974–75]], York's first season in the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]].<ref name="The Complete Record 115">{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=115}}</ref> This increased the ground's [[seating capacity]] to 2,762,<ref name="The Complete Record 115"/> but meant the overall capacity was reduced to 16,529.<ref name="Football Grounds of Britain 421"/> The floodlights were updated and improved for £20,000, and were officially switched on by former [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] player [[Derek Dougan]] for a friendly with [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]] on 1 August 1980.<ref name="The Complete Record 115"/> A gymnasium was built at the Grosvenor Road End for £50,000 early in 1981, and to help towards this York received £15,000 from the [[UK Sport|Sports Council]] and £20,000 from the Football League Improvement Trust.<ref name="The Complete Record 115"/> In the summer of 1983, new offices for the [[List of York City F.C. managers|manager]], secretary, matchday and lottery manager were built, along with a vice-presidents' lounge.<ref name="The Complete Record 115"/> The lounge was officially opened by [[Jack Dunnett]], the chairman of the Football League, prior to a match against [[Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]] in November 1983.<ref name="The Complete Record 115"/>

By the early 1980s cracks had appeared in the wall built at the back of the Grosvenor Road End.<ref name="The Complete Record 115"/> The rear of the terracing was cordoned off, and the capacity of the ground reduced to under 13,500.<ref name="The Complete Record 115"/> The Grosvenor Road End was segregated and allocated to away supporters, and fencing was erected for the first time before the FA Cup match against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] in February 1985.<ref name="The Complete Record 115"/> All the fencing had been dismantled by the early 2000s.<ref name="The Complete Record 115"/> During the 1983–84 and 1984–85 seasons, problems had arisen in handling big crowds, due to the ground having only two of four sides available for entry and exit, and the home supporters funnelling through the car park to the Shipton Street End.<ref name="The Complete Record 115"/> Extensive improvements were made in the summer of 1985 for approximately £100,000, and eight new turnstiles were installed at the Shipton Street End.<ref name="The Complete Record 115"/> Further, the dressing rooms were refurbished to incorporate new baths and showers, and a new referees' changing room and physiotherapist's treatment room were readied.<ref name="The Complete Record 115"/> Hospitality boxes were built into the Main Stand during 1986–87, and video equipment was installed inside the ground.<ref name="The Complete Record 115"/> Crash barriers were strengthened, meaning ground safety requirements were met.<ref name="The Complete Record 115"/> These improvements meant that shortly before the [[Taylor Report]] was published, the ground's capacity was 14,109, including 3,059 seats.<ref name="Football Grounds of Britain 421"/> However, by September 1989, the capacity had been increased to 14,628.<ref name="The Complete Record 115"/>

[[File:Kit kat cres 07 2.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=One of the stands of the Bootham Crescent association football ground, with supporters waving flags and a grass field below|David Longhurst Stand (2007 picture) opened in 1990, after a stand was built on the Shipton Street End.]]

The ground's major drawback was the lack of covered standing accommodation at the Shipton Street End, but the cost of erecting a stand had been prohibitive.<ref name="The Complete Record 116">{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=116}}</ref> The Shipton Street Roof Appeal was launched in the spring of 1988 to raise money for a stand, and fundraising schemes were put into place.<ref name="The Complete Record 116"/> On 8 September 1990, York player [[David Longhurst]] collapsed and died from heart failure during a match against [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]] at Bootham Crescent.<ref name="The Complete Record 116"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Elinor |last=Cross |title=Father of pitch collapse player David Longhurst calls for screening |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-17431949 |publisher=BBC News |date=21 March 2012 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> With the approval of his family, the David Longhurst Memorial Fund was launched, and all donations were added to the monies already raised for the roof appeal.<ref name="The Complete Record 116"/> The [[Football Trust]] contributed half of the £150,000 cost of the stand, and it was constructed in the summer of 1991.<ref name="The Complete Record 116"/> The David Longhurst Stand was officially opened on 14 October 1991 in a friendly match against [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]], which was watched by a crowd of 4,374.<ref name="The Complete Record 116"/>

===1990s to present===
The Family Stand was opened in the Main Stand in 1992, and manager [[John Ward (footballer, born 1951)|John Ward]] ran the [[London Marathon]] to help raise funds for the project.<ref name="The Complete Record 116"/> Bootham Crescent first hosted a play-off match when York beat [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] 1–0 on 19 May 1993 in the [[1993 Football League play-offs#Third Division|Third Division play-off semi-final]]; the attendance of 9,206 was the ground's highest in seven years.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=380}}</ref> During 1993–94 the Main Stand paddock was seated and covered, and the recent work to the stand cost £220,000.<ref name="Football Grounds of Britain 421"/> The ground's capacity fell to 9,459, including seating for 3,645, after the renovations to the David Longhurst and Main Stands.<ref>{{cite book |last=Inglis |title=Football Grounds of Britain |pages=420–421}}</ref> In May 1995, a new drainage system was installed for £11,000, to improve the quality of the pitch during winter.<ref name="It Happened This Day">{{cite news |title=It happened this day |url=http://www.yorkcitysouth.co.uk/xdb-bc012.htm |publisher=York City South |accessdate=27 January 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303184304/http://www.yorkcitysouth.co.uk/xdb-bc012.htm |archivedate=3 March 2016 |deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Ground of the week: Kit Kat Crescent!">{{cite news |first=Stuart |last=Croll |title=Ground of the week: Kit Kat Crescent! |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2007/09/03/nl_kitkat_feature.shtml |publisher=BBC London |date=3 September 2007 |accessdate=18 August 2015}}</ref> New floodlights were installed in June 1995 at a cost of £122,000, and despite being shorter in height were twice as powerful as the original floodlights.<ref name="The Complete Record 116"/><ref name="It Happened This Day"/> A water tower was installed in the late 1990s, to further help the pitch quality.<ref name="Ground of the week: Kit Kat Crescent!"/>

In July 1999, York's [[real property]] assets, including Bootham Crescent, were transferred to a [[holding company]] called Bootham Crescent Holdings (BCH) for £165,000.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=94}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Conn |title=Chairman's threat leaves the future of York in doubt |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/david-conn-chairmans-threat-leaves-the-future-of-york-in-doubt-9241634.html |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=18 January 2002 |accessdate=27 February 2018}}</ref> Chairman [[Douglas Craig]] put the ground and the club up for sale for £4.5&nbsp;million in December 2001.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |pages=96–97}}</ref> It was announced that the ground would close by 30 June 2002, and talks were held over a move to [[Huntington Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Full text of document from York City |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/7932416.Full_text_of_document_from_York_City/ |newspaper=York Evening Press |date=9 January 2002 |accessdate=9 September 2015}}</ref> In March 2002, the club was bought by [[John Batchelor (racing)|John Batchelor]]; he said York could continue at Bootham Crescent until a new stadium was built,<ref name="How the Bootham Crescent saga has unfolded">{{cite news |title=How the Bootham Crescent saga has unfolded |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/7918100.How_the_Bootham_Crescent_saga_has_unfolded/ |newspaper=York Evening Press |date=16 November 2002 |accessdate=9 September 2015}}</ref> when in fact the previous 25-year lease was replaced with one that would expire in June 2003.<ref>{{cite news |title=The fight goes on |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/7912676.The_fight_goes_on/ |newspaper=York Evening Press |date=24 February 2003 |accessdate=9 September 2015}}</ref> Batchelor spoke of building a new stadium at Clifton Moor, and [[Persimmon plc|Persimmon]], who held 10% of the shares in BCH, submitted [[Planning permission|planning applications]] for 93 homes on the site of Bootham Crescent.<ref name="How the Bootham Crescent saga has unfolded"/><ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=98}}</ref> In March 2003, York extended their lease of the ground to May 2004, and under the ownership of the Supporters' Trust proceeded with plans to move to Huntington Stadium.<ref>{{cite news |title=Home from home |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/7911743.Home_from_home/ |newspaper=York Evening Press |date=12 March 2003 |accessdate=9 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |pages=99, 101}}</ref> Planning problems arose with bringing the ground up to Football League standards, and the club preferred to stay at Bootham Crescent.<ref name="The Complete Record 101">{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=101}}</ref> York bought Bootham Crescent in February 2004, after a £2&nbsp;million loan from [[the Football Stadia Improvement Fund]] (FSIF) was secured.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |pages=101–102}}</ref>

York were [[Promotion and relegation|relegated]] to the [[National League (division)|Conference National]] for [[2004–05 Football Conference#Conference National|2004–05]],<ref name="The Complete Record 101"/> which brought an end to 72 years of Football League football at Bootham Crescent.<ref>{{cite news |title=A lifetime of memories for Ken |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/7887844.A_lifetime_of_memories_for_Ken/ |newspaper=York Evening Press |date=3 May 2004 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> In January 2005 the [[Naming rights|ground was renamed]] KitKat Crescent, as part of a sponsorship deal under which [[Nestlé]] donated £100,000 to the club.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sweet break for York FC |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/7871741.Sweet_break_for_York_FC/ |newspaper=Evening Press |location=York |date=19 January 2005 |accessdate=9 September 2015}}</ref> This money went towards covering the shortfall the club faced paying BCH directors, Persimmon and stamp duty when buying the ground.<ref name="The Complete Record 102">{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=102}}</ref> The ground was still commonly referred to as Bootham Crescent.<ref name="Ground of the week: Kit Kat Crescent!"/> The deal expired in January 2010, when Nestlé ended all their sponsorship arrangements with the club.<ref>{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Carroll |title=York City's sponsorship tie-up with Nestlé to come to an end after four years |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/4532693.York_City_s_sponsorship_tie_up_with_Nestl___to_comes_to_an_end/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=6 August 2009 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> York returned to the Football League for [[2012–13 York City F.C. season|2012–13]], and their first [[EFL League Two|League Two]] match at Bootham Crescent was a 3–1 defeat to [[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]] on 18 August 2012, before a 4,591 crowd.<ref>{{cite news |first=Dave |last=Flett |title=Reality check for York City after 3–1 opening day defeat by Wycombe Wanderers |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/9882330.Reality_check_for_York_City_after_3_1_opening_day_defeat_by_Wycombe_Wanderers/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=19 August 2012 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> The club was relegated to the [[National League (division)|National League]] for 2016–17, ending a four-year spell back in the Football League.<ref>{{cite news |first=Dave |last=Flett |title=York City review of 2015/16: The unfunny tale of an Englishman, Irishman and a Scotsman |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/14490855.York_City_Review_of_2015_16__The_Unfunny_Tale_of_an_Englishman__Irishman_and_a_Scotsman/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=13 May 2016 |accessdate=24 December 2016}}</ref> The ground has not been subject to any major investment since the 1990s,<ref>{{cite news |first=Stephen |last=Lewis |title=Stadium juggling act |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/features/features/9537718.Stadium_juggling_act/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=17 February 2012 |accessdate=11 September 2015}}</ref> and has faced problems with holes in the Main Stand roof, crumbling in the Grosvenor Road End, drainage problems and toilet conditions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sophie Hicks |url=http://www.yorkcitysouth.co.uk/xdb-091120-sophie.htm |publisher=York City South |accessdate=27 January 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925120451/http://www.yorkcitysouth.co.uk/xdb-091120-sophie.htm |archivedate=25 September 2015 |deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Nick Bassett |url=http://www.yorkcitysouth.co.uk/xdb-091001-bassett.htm |publisher=York City South |accessdate=27 January 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925120522/http://www.yorkcitysouth.co.uk/xdb-091001-bassett.htm |archivedate=25 September 2015 |deadurl=no}}</ref>

==Future==
{{see also|York Community Stadium}}

The terms of the FSIF loan required the club to identify a site for a new stadium by 2007, and have detailed planning permission by 2009, to avoid financial penalties.<ref name="The Complete Record 102"/> Once plans for a new stadium were in place, the loan would turn into a grant to assist in funding the relocation.<ref name="The Complete Record 102"/> As part of the loan agreement, Persimmon have [[Right of first refusal|first refusal]] on purchasing Bootham Crescent once York leave, for 10% lower than its market value.<ref>{{cite news |first=Dave |last=Flett |title=The small print |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/7885727.The_small_print/ |newspaper=York Evening Press |date=11 June 2004 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> Persimmon still intend to build 93 homes on the site, and the proceeds of the sale would go towards building the new stadium.<ref>{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Carroll |title=Persimmon in ground pledge |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/3770152.Persimmon_in_ground_pledge/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=18 October 2008 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> In March 2008, York's managing director [[Jason McGill]] cited "the annual cost of £60,000 for the maintenance and upkeep of a 1932 stadium with few commercial and income-generating opportunities" as the reason for the continued need to move to a new stadium.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=107}}</ref>

Despite the club failing to formally identify a site by the end of 2007, financial penalties were not incurred, as the FSIF were satisfied with the progress made.<ref>{{cite news |first=Dave |last=Flett |title=Santa Clause to City rescue |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/1901309.Santa_Clause_to_City_rescue/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=13 December 2007 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> However, McGill said plans with the preferred site had ground to a halt by March 2008.<ref>{{cite news |first=Dave |last=Flett |title=McGill: Club being used as a "political football" |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/2150457.McGill__Club_being_used_as_a____political_football___/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=27 March 2008 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> [[City of York Council]] announced its commitment to building a [[York Community Stadium|community stadium]] in May 2008,<ref>{{cite news |title=City stadium decision secures 'bright future' for Minstermen |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/2291950.City_stadium_decision_secures____bright_future____for_Minstermen/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=23 May 2008 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> which would be used by York and the city's rugby league club, [[York City Knights]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Gavin |last=Aitchison |title=Council to lend York City £2.1m |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/3198881.Council_to_lend_York_City___2_1m/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=9 July 2008 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> In July 2010, the council chose the option of building a 6,000 all-seater stadium at Monks Cross in [[Huntington, City of York|Huntington]], on the site of Huntington Stadium.<ref>{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Stead |title=York City set sights on Monks Cross stadium move |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8241275.York_City_set_sights_on_Monks_Cross_stadium_move/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=26 June 2010 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Stead |title=Monks Cross named as preferred site for York's community stadium |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8255346.Monks_Cross_named_as_preferred_site_for_York_s_community_stadium/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=7 July 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816182433/http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8255346.Monks_Cross_named_as_preferred_site_for_York_s_community_stadium/ |archivedate=16 August 2015 |deadurl=yes}}</ref> In August 2014, [[Greenwich Leisure Limited|Greenwich Leisure Ltd]] were named as the council's preferred bidder to deliver an 8,000 all-seater stadium, a leisure complex and a community hub.<ref>{{cite web |title=Winning bid announced for community stadium |url=http://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/news/article/community-stadium-preferred-bidder-1876986.aspx |publisher=York City F.C. |date=26 August 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053024/http://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/news/article/community-stadium-preferred-bidder-1876986.aspx |archivedate=4 March 2016 |deadurl=yes}}</ref> Construction started in December 2017, for completion in mid 2019.

==Structure and facilities==
[[File:Bootham Crescent schematic.png|thumb|upright|alt=Diagram showing the composition of the Bootham Crescent association football ground|Schematic plan view of Bootham Crescent's stands]]
[[File:Bootham Crescent Main Stand 15-08-2015 1.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=One of the stands of the Bootham Crescent association football ground, with supporters sitting down and a grass field below|Main Stand in 2015]]
[[File:City matchday 07.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=One of the stands of the Bootham Crescent association football ground, with supporters sitting down and players standing on a grass field below|Popular Stand in 2007]]
[[File:Jorvik Reds 25-08-2008 1.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=One of the stands of the Bootham Crescent association football ground, with holding up banners|David Longhurst Stand in 2008]]
[[File:Bootham Crescent Grosvenor Road End 15-08-2015 2.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=One of the stands of the Bootham Crescent association football ground, with supporters cheering and players standing on a grass field below|Grosvenor Road End in 2015]]

The ground can accommodate 8,256 supporters, including seating for 3,409,<ref name=Guide>{{cite web |title=York City: Bootham Crescent |url=http://www.footballgroundguide.com/leagues/conference/conference-north/bootham-crescent-york-city.html |website=Football Ground Guide |publisher=Duncan Adams |accessdate=26 May 2018}}</ref> and comprises four stands; the Main Stand, the Popular Stand, the David Longhurst Stand and the Grosvenor Road End.<ref name="Ground of the week: Kit Kat Crescent!"/>

The Main Stand, which can seat 1,757 spectators, is an all-seated stand which runs around two-thirds of the pitch.<ref name=Guide/><ref name="The Complete Record 117">{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=117}}</ref> It contains the dressing rooms, club offices, ticket offices and hospitality suites, and contains a number of supporting pillars.<ref name="Ground of the week: Kit Kat Crescent!"/> The stand has open corners to either side, one of which is where the supporters' club is located, and to the rear has windscreens to either side.<ref name="York City BSBP">{{cite news|title=York City |url=http://www.bluesqfootball.com/story/0,20970,13036_2649540,00.html |publisher=Blue Square Bet Premier |date=8 August 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218162903/http://www.bluesqfootball.com/story/0%2C20970%2C13036_2649540%2C00.html |archivedate=18 December 2007 |deadurl=yes}}</ref> At the front of it is the Family Stand, which offers adjusted rates for children and their carers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Family section |url=https://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/fans/family-section |publisher=York City F.C. |accessdate=18 September 2017}}</ref> Opposite is the Popular Stand, a covered all-seated stand, which contains a number of supporting pillars and holds a television gantry on its roof.<ref name="Ground of the week: Kit Kat Crescent!"/><ref name="York City BSBP"/> It can seat 1,652 spectators.<ref name="The Complete Record 117"/>

The northernmost stand of the ground is the David Longhurst Stand, which is a covered terrace for home supporters and has a row of supporting pillars across its front.<ref name="Ground of the week: Kit Kat Crescent!"/><ref name="York City BSBP"/> The stand was originally known as the Shipton Street End, but was renamed following the death of David Longhurst,<ref name="The Complete Record 116"/> and has a capacity of 3,062.<ref name="The Complete Record 117"/> Opposite is the Grosvenor Road End, an open terrace reserved for away supporters, which holds a capacity of 1,785.<ref name="Ground of the week: Kit Kat Crescent!"/><ref name="York City BSBP"/><ref name="Away Supporter Information">{{cite web |title=Away supporter information |url=https://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/tickets/away-supporter-information |publisher=York City F.C. |accessdate=18 September 2017}}</ref> As well as this, away fans are permitted to use 332 seats of the Popular Stand, in the section closest to the Grosvenor Road End.<ref name="Away Supporter Information"/> The toilet facilities for away supporters consist of open air urinals and Portakabins.<ref>{{cite book |first=Duncan |last=Adams |title=A Fan's Guide: Football Grounds – England and Wales |year=2012 |publisher=DB Publishing |location=Derby |isbn=978-1-78091-071-0 |page=188}}</ref>

The grass pitch measures {{convert|104|by|64|m|yd}}.><ref>{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2015–2016 |year=2015 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-2416-3 |page=396}}</ref> Head groundsman Bryan Foster was presented with a gold watch from the directors in March 1988, in recognition of his long and outstanding service.<ref name="The Complete Record 114"/> His successor, Bryan Horner, was voted the Second Division groundsman of the year in 1999.<ref name="The Complete Record 114"/> A club shop is situated just inside the car park, which also houses the commercial manager's office.<ref name="A Complete Record 122">{{cite book |first=Dave |last=Batters |title=York City: A Complete Record 1922–1990 |year=1990 |publisher=Breedon Books |location=Derby |isbn=978-0-907969-69-3 |page=122}}</ref> Adjoining this is the social club, known as the 1922 Bar since August 2015, and the players' bar.<ref name="A Complete Record 122"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Supporters' bar re-opens as 'The 1922 Bar' |url=http://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/news/article/supporters-bar-re-opens-as-the-1922-bar-2608822.aspx |publisher=York City F.C. |date=10 August 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802142331/http://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/news/article/supporters-bar-re-opens-as-the-1922-bar-2608822.aspx |archivedate=2 August 2016 |deadurl=yes}}</ref>

==Transport==
The ground is located just over a mile from York railway station,<ref name="York City BSBP"/> which is approximately a 20-minute walk.<ref name="York City FC Club Contacts">{{cite web |title=Visit us |url=https://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/club/visit-us |publisher=York City F.C. |accessdate=18 September 2017}}</ref> The station lies on the [[East Coast Main Line]] between [[London King's Cross railway station]] and [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station]],<ref name="York City BSBP"/> and has direct services from [[Birmingham]], [[Liverpool]], [[Manchester]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne]] and the [[South West England|South West]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Travel to York |url=https://www.visityork.org/general-and-tourist-info/travel-information/travel-to-york |website=Visit York |publisher=Make It York |accessdate=26 May 2018}}</ref> Many of the roads near the ground are for residential permit holders only, meaning car parking at the ground is notoriously difficult.<ref name="Ground of the week: Kit Kat Crescent!"/> The author [[Simon Inglis]] pointed out the irony of the club leaving Fulfordgate because of its location, when "it is harder than ever for fans to drive ''in'' to Bootham Crescent".<ref name="Football Grounds of Britain 421"/> Parking on matchdays at nearby [[York Hospital]] is available.<ref>{{cite web |title=Car parking |url=https://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/tickets/car-parking |publisher=York City F.C. |accessdate=18 September 2017}}</ref> A [[York park and ride|park and ride]] facility operates in the city, and a number of lines drop off within walking distance of the ground.<ref name="York City FC Club Contacts"/>

==Other uses==
Bootham Crescent hosted a war-time representative match in which [[the Football League XI]] beat the [[Northern Command (United Kingdom)|Northern Command]] XI 9–2 on 17 October 1942, before a 5,500 crowd.<ref name="The Complete Record 111"/> It held a university representative match on 17 February 1976, when a FA XI drew 2–2 with the [[British Universities and Colleges Sport|Universities Athletic Union]]; the FA XI included former [[England national football team|England internationals]] and [[1966 FIFA World Cup|1966 World Cup]] winners [[Bobby Charlton]] and [[Nobby Stiles]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Testimonials, clubs and Forces |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/MatchRsl/MatchRslTst.html |website=England Football Online |publisher=Chris Goodwin, Glen Isherwood & Peter Young |date=7 August 2016 |accessdate=27 January 2018}}</ref> The ground hosted its first major neutral match on 7 February 1968, when [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] beat [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]] 1–0 in an FA Cup third-round second replay, in front of a crowd of 16,524.<ref name="The Complete Record 114"/><ref>{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Heneghan |title=England FA Challenge Cup 1967–1968 |url=http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/engcup1968.html |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=12 December 2002 |accessdate=3 September 2015}}</ref> During 2012–13, Bootham Crescent held one fixture apiece for [[Harrogate Town F.C.|Harrogate Town]] and [[Gateshead F.C.|Gateshead]], as the pitches at their grounds were unplayable.<ref>{{cite news |first=Dave|last=Flett |title=York City answer Harrogate Town's pitch SOS |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/10186781.York_City_answer_Harrogate_Town_s_pitch_SOS/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=25 January 2013 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Dave |last=Flett |title=Drawn to be wild |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/10263515.Drawn_to_be_wild/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=2 March 2013 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> The ground hosted the [[2012–13 FA Women's Premier League Cup#Final|2013 FA Women's Premier League Cup Final]] on 5 May 2013,<ref>{{cite news |title=Showpiece women's final at Bootham Crescent |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/10363938.Showpiece_women___s_final_at_Bootham_Crescent/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=18 April 2013 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> when [[Aston Villa L.F.C.|Aston Villa]] beat [[Leeds United L.F.C.|Leeds United]] 5–4 on [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalties]] after a 0–0 [[extra time]] draw.<ref>{{cite web |title=Villa Ladies win League Cup in dramatic penalty shoot-out |url=https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2013/05/05/villa-ladies-win-league-cup-in-dramatic-penalty-shoot-out |publisher=Aston Villa F.C. |date=5 May 2013 |accessdate=24 December 2016}}</ref>

The ground first held international football on 10 May 1952, when [[English Schools' Football Association|England schools]], [[Captain (association football)|captained]] by future York manager [[Wilf McGuinness]], beat Ireland 5–0 before 16,000 spectators.<ref name="The Complete Record 112"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://search.findmypast.co.uk/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0000687%2f19520512%2f056 |title=English boys win 5–0 |newspaper=The Yorkshire Post and Leeds Mercury |date=12 May 1952 |accessdate=27 February 2018 |page=3 |subscription=yes |via=Findmypast}}</ref> It has hosted a number of youth international matches, most notably the [[England national under-18 football team|England under-18's]] 4–0 win over [[Northern Ireland national under-19 football team|Northern Ireland]] on 13 October 1996, in which 16-year-old [[Michael Owen]] scored a [[Hat-trick (association football)|hat-trick]] for England.<ref name="The Complete Record 116"/> Bootham Crescent hosted three matches in the [[2001 UEFA European Under-16 Championship]],<ref>{{cite news |title=City's free Euro-tickets booster |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/7944416.City_s_free_Euro_tickets_booster/ |newspaper=York Evening Press |date=14 April 2001 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> including [[France national under-16 football team|France]]'s 2–0 win over Russia in the quarter-final on 30 April 2001, watched by 557 spectators.<ref>{{cite web |title=European Championship (U-16). Final tournament. Quarterfinals. France – Russia – 2:0 |url=http://www.rfs.ru/archive_eng/archive_243.htm |publisher=Russian Football Union |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010718163118/http://www.rfs.ru/archive_eng/archive_243.htm |archivedate=18 July 2001 |deadurl=yes}}</ref>

The ground has also held non-football events.<ref name="The Complete Record 116"/> It hosted a music concert in September 1979 and a grand fireworks display in October 1982 to celebrate the centenary of the ''[[The Press (York)|Yorkshire Evening Press]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |pages=116–117}}</ref> Sporting events to have taken place include an [[American football]] match in the summer of 1988, and a rugby league match between [[York City Knights|York]] and [[Leeds Rhinos|Leeds]] in the [[Challenge Cup]] before a crowd of 11,347 on 29 January 1989, which was won 28–9 by Leeds.<ref name="The Complete Record 117"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Challenge Cup 1988/89: York 9 lost to Leeds 28 |url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/challenge-cup-1988/game-1/york-vs-leeds/summary.html |publisher=Rugby League Project |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref> York City Knights have played at Bootham Crescent since 2016, ahead of the move to the Community Stadium.<ref>{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Martini |title=York City Knights unveil new strips for 2016 – With a big nod towards future house-mates York City |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/13783911.York_City_Knights_unveil_new_strips_for_2016___with_a_big_nod_towards_future_house_mates_York_City/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=25 September 2015 |accessdate=18 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Martini |title=York City Knights WILL be playing at York City's Bootham Crescent – And a big new signing is announced too |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/15020540.York_City_Knights_WILL_be_playing_at_Bootham_Crescent___and_a_big_new_signing_is_announced_too/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=12 January 2017 |accessdate=25 May 2017}}</ref> [[Beer festival]]s, organised by the York Minstermen supporters' group, were held at the ground's social club from 2008 to 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Beer we go! |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/1946028.Beer_we_go_/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=7 January 2008 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=York City State of Mind beer is star of Bootham Crescent Beer Festival |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9778889.York_City_themed_ale_is_star_of_beer_festival/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=23 June 2012 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref>

==Records==
[[File:Bootham Crescent league attendances.png|thumb|upright|alt=Graph showing the highest and average league attendances at the Bootham Crescent association football ground|York City's highest and average league attendances at Bootham Crescent from the 1932–33 season]]

The highest attendance record at the ground was 28,123 for a match against Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup sixth round on 5 March 1938.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=268}}</ref> The highest attendance in the Football League is 21,010 against Hull City in the Third Division North on 23 April 1949.<ref name="The Complete Record 290">{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=290}}</ref> The attendance of 1,167 against [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]] on 5 May 1981 is the lowest ever to see York in a Football League match.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=354}}</ref> York were relegated to the Conference National in 2004, and their highest home attendance in this division was 6,660 for a match against [[Morecambe F.C.|Morecambe]] on 4 May 2007.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=408}}</ref> The lowest was 1,567 for a match against [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]] on 10 March 2008.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=410}}</ref> The lowest attendance at the ground for any first-team fixture was 608 for a [[Conference League Cup]] third-round match against [[Mansfield Town F.C.|Mansfield Town]] on 4 November 2008.<ref>{{cite news |first=Dave |last=Flett |title=York City season review 2008/9 |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/4367581.York_City_season_review_2008_9/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=14 May 2009 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Dave |last=Flett |title=Setanta Shield: York City 1, Mansfield Town 1 (4–2 on pens) |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/3819171.Setanta_Shield__York_City_1__Mansfield_Town_1__4_2_on_pens_/ |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=5 November 2008 |accessdate=17 August 2015}}</ref>

The highest seasonal average attendance for York at Bootham Crescent was 10,412 in [[1948–49 Football League Third Division North|1948–49]].<ref name="The Complete Record 290"/> York's lowest seasonal average was 2,139 in [[1977–78 Football League Fourth Division|1977–78]], which came after two successive relegations from the Second Division.<ref name="The Complete Record 235-237">{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |pages=235–237}}</ref> The most recent season in which the average attendance was more than 10,000 was in [[1955–56 Football League Third Division North|1955–56]].<ref name="The Complete Record 235-237"/> This season also saw York's highest total seasonal attendance at the ground, which was 236,685.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=304}} Calculated by adding the home attendances figures.</ref> The lowest total seasonal attendance was 48,357 for 1977–78 in the Fourth Division.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=348}} Calculated by adding the home attendances figures.</ref>

York's biggest margin of victory at Bootham Crescent was by eight goals, achieved with a 9–1 win over [[Southport F.C.|Southport]] in the Third Division North on 2 February 1957.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |page=306}}</ref> Their biggest margin of defeat at the ground was by seven goals, when they were beaten 7–0 by [[Rochdale A.F.C.|Rochdale]] in a Third Division North match on 14 January 1939.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |pages=270, 423}}</ref> The most goals scored in a match was 12 on 16 November 1935, when York defeated Mansfield Town 7–5 in the Third Division North.<ref>{{cite book |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |pages =264, 423}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{commons category|Bootham Crescent}}

{{York City F.C.}}
{{League 1 venues}}

[[Category:Defunct cricket grounds in England]]
[[Category:English Football League venues]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1932]]
[[Category:Sports venues in York]]
[[Category:York City F.C.]]
[[Category:Rugby league stadiums in England]]
[[Category:1932 establishments in England]]
