YORK City’s standout Enterprise National League battle with Southend United this Saturday is the sort of game that ‘everyone wants to be involved in’, according to manager Stuart Maynard.

Maynard’s men will welcome fellow promotion-hopefuls Southend to the LNER Community Stadium this Saturday for the slightly later kick-off time of 5.30pm, with both teams challenging for a spot in the Football League next season.

As two former Football League teams, City’s home matches with Southend have typically generated larger crowds, with over 7,000 expected in North Yorkshire this weekend.

That includes an almost sold-out North Stand packed to the brim with Southend supporters, with just two tickets left available for away fans at the time of writing – but Maynard doesn’t want it to be an away day the Shrimps will look back upon fondly.

He is hopeful that the LNER Community Stadium can become a fortress between now and the end of the season, and called for the home crowd to make it a hostile environment for those wearing a blue shirt.

“It’s the games that we all want to be involved in,” Maynard told the Press.

“This is a club that deserves to be involved in more of these games, week in, week out we want to be playing in front of sell-outs here.

“We want to know every week that we’re playing in front of a sell out, and that’s not just at home, but the away crowd as well.

“We want a real atmosphere, but we’ve got to make this place a fortress, which I believe we’re starting to do now.

“That comes from the fans getting behind the boys and making this place hostile, and teams thinking ‘we don’t want to come here’.

“For me, Southend were very unfortunate to not get promotion last season.

“The last kick of the game, the equaliser comes and it’s just heartbreak.

“Kev [Maher, Southend manager] has done a brilliant job there, they’ve recruited really well and have got firepower at the top end of this division.

“I think they have four or five forwards within their ranks that would get into any team in this division, so we know it will be a really tough game against them.”

City have earned plaudits recently for their high press which has caused opposition teams difficulties, something which Maynard wants to keep going against Southend.

However, he’s expecting a similar approach from the visitors, having recently watched them in their abandoned clash with Rochdale.

He continued: “First and foremost, you’ve got to match their work ethic.

“They are a team that fight and compete for everything, about a month ago I went and watched them against Rochdale and the game got abandoned, but they were 1-0 up and were excellent on the day.

“It was only the weather that kind of got Rochdale back in that game, the puddles meant the ball wouldn’t run through to the goalkeeper and the same again, another back pass that got stuck in a puddle and they score.

“We know that they are team that have belief that in the second-half of the season, they can put themselves in the mixer for automatic promotion.”

Southend manager Maher is highly-regarded in the National League for his work navigating the Shrimpers through a difficult time under previous ownership, having now been in charge of the Essex side for five years.

Maynard had nice words for the man in the opposition dugout, saying: “I think he’s done a brilliant job.

“With the problems that have gone on off-of-the-field in previous years, I know that’s all fixed now and they are in a much better place.

“You can see that with their squad and the way that they have recruited, I think they’ve done a great job on and off-of-the-pitch now.

“They are a club that are striving to get out of this division as well, they’re a massive football club.”

One player who is benefitting from playing under Maher is wing-back Gus Scott-Morriss, who has proven to be a dangerous player against City in recent years.

In his past three seasons, Scott-Morriss has registered a remarkable 30 goals, 17 of which came last season when playing on the right side for Southend.

He is a player that Maynard is cautious of, believing the 28-year-old would comfortably slot into a Football League side.

“He’s a top, top player, I think he can play way higher than this level.

“He plays wing-back and he does it excellently.

“His movement in the box is like a forward, he just sniffs it out and he always ends up arriving at the right time on the end of things.

“He’s a top, top player for this level and it shows their ambition as a football club to be able to keep a hold of him.”

FRESH concerns have been raised about proposals to redevelop the area around a North Yorkshire train station.

​Scarborough town councillors have raised concerns about the number of drop-off spaces proposed in the town’s Station Gateway project, a series of suggested public realm improvements aiming to create a more welcoming public space for residents and visitors.

​Members of the community and place committee said residents require adequate drop-off spaces at Scarborough Station and that the current plans should be clarified or amended accordingly.

​Cllr David Knowles, chair of the committee, said: “People who have lived here a long time are increasingly fed up with the changes that have happened and as local taxpayers, are getting fewer and fewer provisions.”

​Speaking at a committee meeting on Friday, January 16, he noted: “Drop-off places are important. I looked at the plan: four for taxis, three for disabled, two for people who drop off.”

​He added: “You’re quite right about the fact that people who drop off are being minimised.”

​However, the Scarborough Town Council committee said it supported the investment in general.

​Plans for the redevelopment would be funded using £6.68 million allocated from the Government’s Local Regeneration Fund.

​North Yorkshire Council previously said: “New outdoor seating areas, resurfaced footpaths and tree planting have been proposed as part of the project along with enhanced accessible parking and improved pedestrian access to the station and nearby transport links.

​A planning application submitted last year states: “The current design adopts a balanced approach that enhances pedestrian access and the quality of the public realm, whilst retaining critical vehicular functions including taxi services, drop-off areas, and accessible parking within the station forecourt.

​It adds: “The taxi rank and drop-off bays are repositioned adjacent to the station entrance, served by a clearly marked 2m wide footpath surfaced with contrasting paving to separate pedestrian routes from vehicular access.

​Initial proposals for the first phase of the Station Gateway scheme were developed by Scarborough Borough Council and submitted for planning approval in 2022, prior to the launch of North Yorkshire Council in April 2023.

​Following further work by North Yorkshire Council, the Scarborough Neighbourhood Board and other key stakeholders, the designs have since been refined with a greater focus on improving the immediate area around the front of the station.

​STC’s community and place committee said it was in favour of the proposal, subject to its comments being considered and receiving clarifications.

​

A MAN has been banned from the road for two years after stealing a car and driving it while more than double the drink-drive limit.

Ben Slater, 36, of Lingfoot Crescent in Sheffield, was arrested and later pleaded guilty at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court on October 23 to theft of a motor vehicle, driving while disqualified, using a car without insurance, and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

He was banned from driving until his sentencing today (January 16), when he received a two-year driving ban.

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Slater was also fined £120, ordered to pay £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service, a £114 victim surcharge, and directed to attend an alcohol rehabilitation programme.

He took the vehicle on October 8 in Thirsk after a delivery driver left it running while collecting orders from a takeaway.

Officers spotted the vehicle exiting the A1(M) at junction 48 and followed it until it came to stop at a petrol station on Wetherby Road at Boroughbridge - arresting him as he began to fill up the car with fuel.

Slater blew more than double the drink-drive limit on a roadside breath kit, giving a reading of 74 micrograms of alcohol in a 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35 micrograms.

He failed to provide a breath sample in custody and was therefore charged with failing to provide a specimen as well.

Detective Inspector Nick Hamer, from our Investigation Hub in Harrogate, said: "Both the arresting officers and my colleagues in the Investigation Hub have done a phenomenal job apprehending and charging Slater as quickly as they did.

"We know all too well the consequences of drink driving but thankfully we intercepted before Slater could cause any harm."

A DATE has been set for councillors to decide on controversial plans for a gas drilling rig in North Yorkshire.

​North Yorkshire Council’s strategic planning committee will debate Europa Oil & Gas’ plan to install a 98ft (30m) tall drilling rig on land in Burniston, near Scarborough, at a meeting on Friday, January 30.

​The scheme proposes using a controversial “proppant squeeze” method to extract the gas.

​The firm has said the site, near the North York Moors National Park, is a “potentially significant gas resource” and, if further approvals were granted, extraction could take place for “about 20 years”.

​However, the firm has faced opposition from local residents and politicians, including the Reform-led Scarborough Town Council, over concerns about the environmental and economic impact of the scheme. It has also been opposed by Labour MP Alison Hume and the county’s elected mayor, David Skaith.

​Europa Oil & Gas said its scheme would be positive for the local economy and “no-one is going to notice” its presence.

​The company has previously said that a “slurry” would be injected into the well to fracture surrounding rocks, allowing more gas to be recovered.

​Councillors sitting on the authority’s strategic planning committee will consider the application and its proposals at 1.30pm on Friday, January 30 at Scarborough Town Hall.

​During the meeting, there will be an opportunity for the applicant, objectors’ representative, the local member for the Scalby and the Coast division on North Yorkshire Council, and a Burniston Parish Council representative to each speak for a maximum of five minutes.

​North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for corporate services, Cllr Heather Phillips, said: “We recognise that this is a planning application that has attracted significant public interest.

​“We have received more than 1,500 representations as part of the planning process, and we understand that many people feel strongly and passionately about the proposals that have been submitted.

​“As with all planning applications, I would like to reassure everyone that all representations will be carefully considered by members of the committee prior to any decision being made.”

​The decision to hold the meeting at Scarborough Town Hall comes despite a recommendation to use a larger venue, due to the significant local interest in the proposal.

​In December, Burniston Parish Council said: ​“Previously, North Yorkshire Council has used the town hall, a venue with very limited public viewing.

“We have seen previously that people are unable to attend planning meetings due to the numbers, as the town hall is too small.”

​​The parish council had recommended the use of Scarborough Spa as a venue for the planning meeting.

A ROCK supergroup is set to bring top tier talent to a major North Yorkshire venue this summer.

Hollywood Vampires will perform at Scarborough Open Air Theatre on August 15 as part of their UK and European tour, with special guests The Damned.

It will be the band’s first live shows in almost three years and follows their sold-out 2023 appearance at the same venue.

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The band, which featuring Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, Joe Perry, and Tommy Henriksen, was named after Alice Cooper’s 1970s drinking club which included the likes of John Lennon, Keith Moon and Mickey Dolenz.

Formed in 2015, the group are known for their explosive live shows blending original material with covers that honour the greats of rock.

Their setlists feature classics from The Who, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Motörhead, The Doors, and AC/DC, alongside hits from Alice Cooper and Aerosmith.

They are set to kick off their tour at London’s O2 Arena on August 12, before performing in Scarborough and heading across Europe.

The band said: “After almost three years away, we’re finally coming back to tour the UK and Europe. We’re looking forward to Incredible crowds, massive energy and more unforgettable nights. See you all soon!”

Julian Murray, of Scarborough OAT promoters Cuffe and Taylor, added that the event was 'one of the most exciting shows of the summer'.

He said: "Hollywood Vampires are rock royalty, and after their sell-out show here in 2023, we knew we had to bring them back.

"Their return to the Yorkshire coast promises a night of raw power, legendary anthems, and pure rock ’n’ roll energy. Scarborough fans are in for an unforgettable experience."

The punk and gothic rock icons The Damned will open the show as special guests.

The group are currently marking their 50th anniversary with a new tour and album, Not Like Everybody Else, which is dedicated to founding guitarist Brian James.

This brings the total number of shows scheduled for Scarborough Open Air Theatre's next summer to 26.

Other confirmed artists include Michael Bublé, Nile Rodgers and Chic, Bastille, Richard Ashcroft, Anastacia, Scissor Sisters, Garbage, Skunk Anansie, James Taylor, and Teddy Swims.

Tickets for the Scarborough show go on general sale at 10am on Friday, January 23, via scarboroughopenairtheatre.com and hollywoodvampires.com.