Phil Burrows was born in Stockport in April 1946 and is undoubtedly one of the greatest-ever defenders to have played for York City.

He joined Manchester City as an amateur at the age of sixteen before signing professional terms in 1962.

But after being unable to force his way into their senior side he moved to York four years later and went on to become a virtual ever-present for the next eight seasons.

Originally playing as a left-half, Burrows developed into an outstanding left-back and twice helped the club to promotion in 1970-71 and 1973-74 as City rose magnificently from the fourth to second division. He was named as the club's first-ever 'Clubman of the Year' in April 1974.  

But a shock £20,000 move to Plymouth Argyle just three months later meant that Burrows never appeared in York's iconic debut season in the second tier of English football. Two years later he joined Hereford United, where the league career of one of City's finest finally ended.