less than three months in charge. Sheffield United assistant manager Jimmy McCormick was appointed in June 1953, before he resigned in September 1954 over a dispute with the board regarding team selection. York went the next 18 months without an official manager, with team matters handled by trainer Lockie and secretary Sherrington. This was a successful period for the club; York reached the semi-final of the 1954–55 FA Cup, and were beaten by Newcastle United in a replay. Sam Bartram, a former Charlton Athletic player who played for York during the war, was appointed manager in March 1956. Under him York narrowly missed out on becoming founder members of the Fourth Division on goal average in 1957–58, although the club's first promotion came the following season with a third-place finish. York were relegated from the Third Division after one season, and Bartram left in July 1960 to take over at Luton Town. Lockie was his successor, and in his first two seasons as manager York narrowly missed out on promotion. This was followed by two disappointing seasons, including an application for re-election after 1963–64, before York won promotion to the Third Division in 1964–65 by playing exciting and attacking football. Immediate relegation followed, and York had to apply for re-election again after 1966–67. Lockie became the first York manager to be dismissed in October 1967, with the team bottom of the Fourth Division. 1967–1991 Former Sheffield United player Joe Shaw was appointed in November 1967, but he could not prevent York having to seek re-election after 1967–68. Shaw resigned for personal reasons in August 1968, and was succeeded by former Huddersfield Town manager Tom Johnston in October. Another re-election bid came after 1968–69, but Johnston gradually improved the team; after a midtable finish the following season, York were promoted to the Third Division in 1970–71. York avoided relegation on goal average over the next two seasons, before winning promotion to the Second Division in 1973–74 with a third-place finish. Johnston resigned to return to Huddersfield Town in January 1975; club historian David Batters described him as "arguably the most successful manager in York City's history". York appointed former Manchester United manager Wilf McGuinness in February 1975, and he helped them stay in the Second Division in 1974–75. However, York faced successive relegations under McGuinness, when finishing 21st in 1975–76 and bottom of the Third Division in 1976–77. He was dismissed