Departing York City captain Callum Howe has paid tribute to ‘a special club with special fans’ after his three-year spell at the LNER Community Stadium came to an end earlier this week.
The 32-year-old made 28 league appearances for the Minstermen last season as the secured the National League title in dramatic circumstances. Going into the final day top of the table, they travelled to Rochdale knowing a point would be enough to secure a return to League Two.
Dale sat second and two points adrift, meaning a victory for the home side would see them crowned champions at York’s expense. When Emmanuel Dieseruvwe headed home in the 95th minute, it appeared as if the Greater Manchester-based side had secured promotion. However, Josh Stones levelled in the 13th minute of added time to complete one of the most thrilling ends to a season in football history.
Howe Opts To Return To Roots
For Howe, it sealed a second National League winners medal after also completing the feat in 2016 with Lincoln City. He has since been an almost ever-present in England’s fifth tier, having spent time at Harrogate Town and Solihull Moors before his move to York in 2023.
The defender’s contract expired at the end of the season and the club announced in it’s retained list that talks were ongoing over a potential new deal. However, his on-field time had diminished during the second half of the campaign and an exit always looked likely.
Taking to social media yesterday, Howe confirmed his time at the club had come to an end. Hours later, a return to Scunthorpe United was announced, 11 years after he switched Glanford Park for Sincil Bank.
In an emotional post on X, the former Port Vale man said:
“A massive thank you to everyone at York City FC.
“For the past 3 years. It’s been an honour to captain this club and I’m proud to have played a part in helping it get back to the Football League.
“Thank you to everyone at the club for making me and my family welcome from day one.
“Made some friends for life and memories for life!
“Special club with special fans. The support from you has been unbelievable.
“It’s been a pleasure! Cal.”
Howe Delighted With Scunthorpe Reunion But Lauds York
Howe began his career at Scunthorpe, rising through the youth ranks before making his debut in 2012. The return represents a full circle moment for both the player and club, who are targeting a promotion bid themselves next season.
@YorkCityFC pic.twitter.com/sggvbW0biG
— Callum Howe (@calhowe) June 19, 2026
Speaking to official club media, the new recruit continued his praise for his now former club whilst revealing how a chance meeting with Iron boss Andy Butler led to the move:
“I’ve played a lot of games at this level for different clubs, and I’ve just come off of the back of three years at York, which was unbelievable.
“We got promoted, won the league last year and that’s a memory that will stay with me forever. I’ve got nothing but good words to say about York, I loved my time there, I was captain there. Nothing but good words to say.
“I actually bumped into the gaffer [Andy Butler] when I was in hospital, my little girl had just been born and the gaffer was going in with his wife, waiting for their baby to be born.
“We had a little chat then, he just asked me if I’d been sorted out, and I said that things were just in the talking stage at York, trying to get things sorted. He asked me if I fancied it, he said he’d be in contact, and then a week or two later, we had a phone call.
“We had a good chat, he explained the ambition of the club, told me about the pitch being re-done and what they were aiming for this year. It suited what I wanted.”
Howe has penned a two-year deal with the North Lincolnshire-based club.
