 Ford started playing with small York based team, Leeman United, and then turned professional with Charlie Wright's York City at 18-years-of-age in February 1979.The "Minstermen" were a mid-table Fourth Division team in 1978–79, but were only three points above the re-election zone in 1979–80.They finished bottom of the Football League in 1980–81, leading to Barry Lyons's departure as manager, before rising to 17th place in 1981–82.