ARCHIVE: The David Longhurst Tragedy - 08.09.90

Saturday 8th September 1990 was the darkest day in the history of York City Football Club when player David Longhurst passed away on the field of play during a Division Four fixture against Lincoln City.
It is a tragedy burned into the consciousness of every York City supporter, and one which is regularly commemorated by the Club and its fans as a mark of respect in memory of that fateful day.
The shocking incident happened as a run of the mill league fixture headed towards half-time. As David collapsed unchallenged, many spectators failed to notice what had happened.
The gravity of the situation soon became apparent as the medical staff desperately worked to save the young man and, after the referee had blown the whistle for half-time, the match was abandoned.
David Longhurst had joined York City from Peterborough United in March 1990. The promising forward was enjoying an excellent career as a professional footballer who started learning his trade in the youth team at Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest.
He would eventually enjoy successful spells at Halifax Town and the club nearest his home town of Corby, Northampton Town. He signed for Peterborough United in 1988.
David’s passing was the first incident of its kind since 1927 and left not only York City Football Club, but the whole football world, in shock. A popular character in the dressing room, David was only 25 years old which exacerbated the sense of sorrow.
As a result of the tragedy, a minute’s silence was held in David’s memory across the entire English football calendar the following weekend.
A memorial service was held at Bootham Crescent on Saturday 15th September, exactly a week later, perhaps appropriately beginning at 3 o’clock.
The David Longhurst Stand was opened in 1991 after a roof was erected on the Shipton Street end of the ground and years later, in 2016, York City fans raised nearly £2,000 in 48 hours to replace and renew the old sign on the stand when an appeal was put out.
Wherever York City may play in future, and however much time passes, David Longhurst’s name will forever be associated with the club and will always be fondly remembered.