York City are delighted to announnce the appointment of Clayton Donaldson as Head of Development.
The 40-year-old scored over 50 goals for The Minstermen across two spells, most recently netting eight in the 2021/22 season as City won promotion from the National League North. Donaldson also recently secured his UEFA A Diploma in October 2023.
Donaldson will oversee operations relating to a development side which will roll out at the start of next season.
The side will consist of a group of younger players, notably from the U19s, who will train with the first team and form a mixed side with first team players who need to jump in to play games as as when required.
Speaking on the appointment, Co-Chair Matt Uggla said: “We’ve always really wanted to put together a development team.
“It’s turned out to be a lot longer of a process than we anticipated. We now feel we are in a really good place to have that rolling out from next season.
“There’s a lot of work to do from now to be ready for that.
“We think Clayton is the perfect person to come in and lead that development team and be Head of Development at York City given his relationship with the club and the contacts in the game, we’re really excited to have him.”
“With Adam [Hinshelwood]’s record of giving young players a chance, it seems like the perfect time to do it.”
Discussing his return to York City, Donaldson expressed: “To be back here… I’m over the moon.
“I can’t wait to get started. I’m a York City fan. York to me is like my second home.
“It’s the perfect fit for me and hopefully I can help other youngsters come through and start their journey here as well.
“I’ve been there; lived it, experienced it and now it’s for me to pass that knowledge down to the next generation.
Going further on his role, working more with players than being one, Donaldson said: “It’s something I’ve always wanted to get into.
“I’ve been in football 24 years so it would be stupid of me to not carry on and pass that experience on to the younger generation, and to provide that pathway into the first team.”
Adding further, York City Director of Football Tony McMahon revealed: “We had a chat with the owners and this was something we wanted to do moving forward.
“We want a development group and bringing someone like Clayton back to the football club was massive.
“He’s not just a football person but a good person, and that’s the type of people we need in this football club.
“It’s really exciting with how it’s going at first team level but we want below that, development players.
“At first team level now, we have a manager in place who isn’t frightened to play these younger boys.
“If we can give them a pathway now of getting into our first team, long term it saves us money but it’s brilliant for these younger players to see that pathway to the first team.”
Hear more from Matt, Clayton and Tony in the full interview below.