York City supporters will certainly be holding special personal thoughts in memory of their former striker David Longhurst as Tuesday 8th September marks the 25th anniversary of his tragic death.
| “Everyone loved him and he was bubbly and great to be around” – Andy McMillan |
Longhurst collapsed and died of a rare heart condition just prior to half-time of the fourth division fixture against Lincoln City at Bootham Crescent in September 1990. He was just 25-years-old.
The Corby-born forward had been signed by then manager John Bird for £30,000 from Peterborough United the previous January. He’d been viewed as ideal to pep-up an ailing attack which had already tried the likes of Bob Colville and Kevin Dixon without a great deal of success, and feature alongside towering mainstay Ian Helliwell.
Few surprises therefore that the new arrival was given an immediate debut for the 2-1 home victory against Southend United. Forward partner Helliwell certainly appreciated his introduction while rattling in a couple of timely goals.
Seven days later it was Longhurst this time plundering a brace and midfield enforcer Shaun Reid adding another in a 3-1 triumph over visitors Colchester United. Fate was sadly to decree they would be Longhurst’s only two goals in a City shirt.
Then, on only his fourth appearance for York – suitably another victory with Helliwell notching the winner at Rochdale – Longhurst unfortunately suffered an injury which finished his season in early February.
He was mercifully back for the start of the 1990-91 campaign but his team-mates were to make an absolutely dreadful start, losing their opening four games without even managing a goal.
However, their fifth fixture was to offer a stark reminder of the true perspective of life, when an estimated crowd of 1,900 – it wasn’t actually recorded as the game was abandoned at half-time – watched on in horror at the demise of one of the club’s biggest talents.
York City as a football club were completely shattered. A bright young athlete for whom such a great future was being tipped, cruelly taken at the height of his powers and after just eight appearances in the famous colours.
But the Minstermen were determined to forever preserve the memory of their departed favourite. For many years there had been talk of covered standing accommodation at the Shipton Street End. Two supporters, Chris Forth and Frank Ormston, finally determined this would become actual reality and in Spring 1988 the ‘Shipton Street Roof Appeal Fund’ was launched.
Various fund-raising projects and initiatives were subsequently implemented and neighbours Middlesbrough visited for a special match in support of the scheme.
Then, following the tear-jerking and gut-wrenching tragedy of losing one of the club’s brightest young stars, and with the consent of his own devastated family, the ‘David Longhurst Memorial Fund’ was set in place with all donations being added the those monies already raised towards the new structure.
And that finally became a reality in the Summer of 1991 after the Football Trust contributed 50% of the total £150,000 costs. It was officially opened as the ‘David Longhurst Stand’ and unveiled by his father, Vic, on 14th October 1991, when over four-thousand appreciative supporters witnessed a 2-2 draw in an exhibition game with local rivals Leeds United.
Current York manager Russ Wilcox had been a playing colleague of Longhurst while at Northampton Town and recounted to The Press: “He had a Scottish accent even though he was born and grew up in Corby, which was very strange for a start. As a player, he was quick, lively, tenacious and a goalscorer and, as a person, he was fun to be around, good company and a great character. He used to come in wearing a Trilby for some games as a wind-up. He was mischievous – a real joker in the pack.”
The Minstermen’s present Academy manager Andy McMillan was a team-mate of Longhurst on that fateful afternoon in September: “Longhy was one of life’s characters,” he recalled to The Press. “He would eat Corn Flakes straight out of the box with his hands – he didn’t bother with milk or a spoon. He was just a good guy who made me laugh every time I looked at him and everyone loved him from the people in the offices, to the players and the fans. He was bubbly and great to be around.”
Fellow full-back that same day, Wayne Hall, similarly told The Press: “I remember John Bird, the manager, coming in to tell us he had passed away and he was really upset. He was a good player with a good touch and also a good goalscorer. He was a bubbly lad too – one of those who was the real life and soul. He was really good in the dressing room, made fun of everybody and was really sharp with the banter.”
David Longhurst’s family will attend the forthcoming home game against Carlisle United after accepting an invitation to be special guests of the club.
Link: Vital Lincoln City Tribute
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