While York City can boast manager Martin Foyle as a former Oxford United player, the current Oxford squad contains no former York players. The most recent ex-Minsterman on United's books was Barnsley loanee Onome Sodje, who played five games and scored one goal at the end of last year, while Luke Foster, who left United for Mansfield Town in January, was on York's books before he joined Oxford from Stalybridge Celtic. The York squad includes three former Us on the playing staff, with Craig Nelthorpe having just finished his loan spell at Luton Town, and Courtney Pitt, who is currently on loan from Cambridge United. Chris Carruthers, who made one appearance for United this season, in the 4-3 win at Histon, joined York on loan from Oxford in September, signing permanently in January. In his 31 appearances he has scored three goals, including the one that gave York victory at Luton Town in the play-off semi-final second leg.

Possibly the most well known link between the sides is Denis Smith, who played for York before becoming their manager in 1984. Smith became United's manager in 1993, but suffered relegation to Division Three at the end of his first season. However, he led the Us back to the Second Division in 1996, the last time the side won a promotion, before moving to West Bromwich Albion to be replaced, briefly, by Malcolm Crosby, who was also Smith's assistant at York after he finished his playing career at Bootham Crescent. Smith returned to manage Oxford in February 2000, keeping United up that season before resigning in September.

Another former United manager, Darren Patterson, played for York, as did United's first full-time professional manager Harry Thompson, who guested for City while in the Army during World War Two. Flamboyant striker John Byrne was signed by Smith for both York and Oxford, while Chris Wilder signed Craig Farrell for the Us on loan from York for the tail end of last season. [@connection]york city[/@connection][@player]foyle, martin[/@player][@manager]Thompson, harry[/@manager][@manager]smith, denis[/@manager][@manager]crosby, malcolm[/@manager]