Brodie re-signed for York City, who were newly relegated into the National League, on 17 May 2016 on a one-year contract.
He made his second debut for York as an 84th-minute substitute in a 1–1 away draw with Maidstone United.
Having struggled to come to terms with the physical requirements of returning to professional football, Brodie was told by manager Jackie McNamara that he would not start home matches until improving his fitness levels.
Brodie scored his first goal of 2016–17 with a penalty in first-half stoppage time away against Gateshead on 16 August 2016, with York losing 6–1.
This marked the start of a run of five goals from five matches, with McNamara praising his ability to score different types of goals, having scored with a header, a penalty, a left-footed volley and two right-footed shots in this run.
Despite being York's top scorer with seven goals, new manager Gary Mills suggested in November 2016 that Brodie was not fit enough to play under him.

On 17 November 2016, he joined York's National League rivals Macclesfield Town on loan until 1 January 2017, with Mills unimpressed with his fitness levels and disciplinary record.
Mills implied that Brodie would only be considered for selection on his return if he were to reach full fitness.
Brodie made his debut two days later as an 88th-minute substitute in Macclesfield's 2–1 away win over Aldershot.
He only made the starting line-up once for Macclesfield, with three of his four appearances for the club coming as a substitute.
Upon his return to York, Brodie was given permission by Mills to leave, as he wanted to find a club where he would play more regularly.
He left York by mutual consent on 11 January 2017.
Brodie re-signed for York City, who were newly relegated into the National League, on 17 May 2016 on a one-year contract. He made his second debut for York as an 84th-minute substitute in a 1–1 away draw with Maidstone United. Having struggled to come to terms with the physical requirements of returning to professional football, Brodie was told by manager Jackie McNamara that he would not start home matches until improving his fitness levels. Brodie scored his first goal of 2016–17 with a penalty in first-half stoppage time away against Gateshead on 16 August 2016, with York losing 6–1. This marked the start of a run of five goals from five matches, with McNamara praising his ability to score different types of goals, having scored with a header, a penalty, a left-footed volley and two right-footed shots in this run. Despite being York's top scorer with seven goals, new manager Gary Mills suggested in November 2016 that Brodie was not fit enough to play under him.
On 17 November 2016, he joined York's National League rivals Macclesfield Town on loan until 1 January 2017, with Mills unimpressed with his fitness levels and disciplinary record. Mills implied that Brodie would only be considered for selection on his return if he were to reach full fitness. Brodie made his debut two days later as an 88th-minute substitute in Macclesfield's 2–1 away win over Aldershot. He only made the starting line-up once for Macclesfield, with three of his four appearances for the club coming as a substitute. Upon his return to York, Brodie was given permission by Mills to leave, as he wanted to find a club where he would play more regularly. He left York by mutual consent on 11 January 2017.
Richard Brodie (footballer)