'Pure ecstasy' - York and a Saturday that may never be beaten
David Ward has covered York City for 12 years. Here he discusses his emotions before, during and after the Minstermen's dramatic draw in the National League title decider at Rochdale, as his BBC Radio York commentary for Josh Stones' promotion-winning goal has gone viral. I have been a York City supporter for nearly 40 years.
If that has taught me one thing, it is that disappointment is usually just around the corner. But looking ahead to Saturday's game, despite how much was riding on it, I was always confident we would get the job done. I honestly felt our side was the stronger of the two.
We were definitely in better form. After a slow start to the campaign, during which Rochdale could have opened up a significant points margin, we pulled ourselves back to finally be top coming down the final straight. As it was, Rochdale needed a goal with the final kick against Braintree Town just the week before to take it to this final day showdown.
City had thought they had it won as they all watched the game on defender Morgan Williams' mobile phone, waiting for the referee to blow the final whistle before Rochdale grabbed a 99th-minute winner. Could City get over the obvious disappointment to lift themselves for this winner-takes-all scenario? You bet they could.
Their day, until it wasn't - the title decider that had it all York win promotion with 103rd-minute equaliser at Rochdale The never-say-die attitude manifested by manager Stuart Maynard, who himself only came to the club four games into the season, is unsurpassed. I always thought the trip to Rochdale could be dramatic. We just didn't expect it to be like this.