VOTE: Have your say on the Press' York City Player of the Season 23/24

YORK City’s fate in the Vanarama National League will be decided this coming Saturday.

As York continue to battle for a third season back in the National League, City will make the trip to Solihull Moors knowing what they must do to avoid the drop.

With a season that has seen three managers, over 20 signings and record-breaking attendances at the LNER Community Stadium, now is the time for readers to vote on their Press’ Player of the Season for the 2023/24 campaign.

The Press will be crowning their Player of the Season, Goal of the Season and Signing of the Season with the National League campaign drawing to a close in two days time.

The standout candidate for the Press’ Player of the Season falls upon vice-captain Ryan Fallowfield, who has enjoyed an impressive campaign which saw the defender celebrate a Billy Fenton Clubman of the Year prior to Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Woking.

Fallowfield has made 40 appearances for City this season, bagging four pivotal goals and three assists from defence, despite missing the victory over Woking through suspension.

Callum Howe and Dipo Akinyemi are two names also mentioned to be in the running for the Player of the Season accolade, with the duo both becoming fan favourites for their consistency in performances throughout their debut season in North Yorkshire with the Minstermen.

Howe has become a rock at the back under Adam Hinshelwood and has represented the football club on 41 occasions, netting two goals and earning the captaincy armband since the new boss, Hinshelwood, came in.

Akinyemi arrived into York in the Summer as the club’s most expensive deal under co-chairs Matt and Julie-Anne Uggla, making the switch from Ayr United in Scotland. The striker has netted 15 goals in 39 matches, becoming the club’s leading scorer in all competitions.

His strike partner Lenell John-Lewis is also up for consideration, having enjoyed another season with the Minstermen. ‘The Shop’ has claimed seven goals in 38 matches, and has proven to be a vital player in York’s battle against relegation.

The final City star to be up for contention is Harrogate Town loanee Will Smith, who has become a crucial part of the squad, with some supporters urging the club to explore a permanent deal for the centre-halve. Smith has made 27 appearances despite struggling with injuries and illness at times, and has formed a strong partnership with Howe at the back.

Readers can also vote for their Goal of the Season, with some impressive strikes taking place throughout the campaign.

Thierry Latty-Fairweather netted an important goal to help aid City in winning their first match of the season, in a 3-0 victory over Southend United, with a long-ranged strike nestling into the top right corner.

Tyler Cordner is also in contention, after a bursting run from his own half allowed the centre-halve to expertly arrow a strike into the top corner, via the post during a 2-0 victory over Oxford City.

Akinyemi has two strikes to be voted for, his first of which came in the 2-0 triumph over Bromley in March, lobbing a half-volley over the retreating Raven’s goalkeeper to solidify York’s advantage.

His next effort came as recent as last weekend, with a composed strike from the edge of the area being curled into the top left corner as City overcame the challenge of Woking.

The final nomination was a spectacular strike from Maz Kouhyar in August’s 2-2 draw with Dorking Wanderers, as the winger cut inside of his marker before bending an unstoppable strike into the far corner.

Finally, readers can now also vote for the Press’ Signing of the Season.

The majority of the squad only joined this season, so a lot of similar names come to fruition as they do for the Player of the Season.

Howe, Akinyemi and Smith are all involved, alongside Latty-Fairweather, who has made 21 appearances from either full-back position.

Latty-Fairweather joined on a free transfer in the Summer following his release from Sky Bet League One side Burton Albion, and the young defender has impressed City supporters with his agility and work rate down the left-hand side, even proving to be fluent on the right when slotting in for Fallowfield.

Dan Batty has also been nominated having made 24 appearances for the Minstermen, despite missing a chunk of the season through injury. The midfielder has battled through off-the-field issues and is one of the most important players within the squad, providing cover at right-back or starring in the middle of the pitch.