York City SLO sacked

Popular Supporters’ Liaison Officer Phil Howden has been sacked by York City FC.

Howden announced the news via Facebook late on Tuesday evening, with his fate apparently delivered by recently appointed Managing Director Steve Kilmartin.

“My time at York City is over,” the departing SLO wrote. “I did my best to represent you and gave 100% but clearly the new (old) regime have other plans for the club. Hopefully whoever replaces me will do a great job and they have my full support.”

A lifelong and always loyal supporter of the club, Howden had worked tirelessly for it for the past seven years in a whole variety of roles, including filming and producing match action and editing the matchday programme, while earning massive respect from amongst the fanbase.

However, he recently disclosed that he had voted against the transfer of the Supporters’ Trust’s 25% shareholding to former chairman Jason McGill, having earlier resigned from his current role until then being persuaded to stay on.

His departure is sure to be seriously felt amongst supporters already reporting a deep sense of alienation from something they unconditionally love, with many regarding him as one of the few true remaining links to a club increasingly losing its own identity – and an always trusted voice of both representation and communication at a time when it was most needed.