Championship Talk: Knights show the way

fevnut's blog is absolutely delighted to have received permission to bring you a regular column from Gareth Walker.

Gareth is a top rugby league journalist who has one very exceptional distinction. He chooses to write about matters pertaining to the Championship and League One.

Although this blog is devoted to Featherstone Rovers it is always good to read opinions about matters relevant to us, but not specifically about us. We hope you enjoy reading Gareth's column each week.

Knights show the way

AT a time when several clubs are struggling just to make it to the end of the season, York City Knights continue to be a shining example

The League One club recorded a seventh four-figure crowd of the season against Doncaster on Sunday - and this certainly isn’t something that has happened by accident.

         

The Knights’ innovative promotion of each individual match shows exactly what can be achieved on minimal budgets and with a bit of imagination.

         

This year they have given their home matches a host of varied themes that have yielded considerable success.

         

After a huge drive for the opening game with Bradford that saw 4,281 attend, they backed it up with 1,481 for their next home match against Keighley after four weeks away and more promotion.

         

The BBC-streamed Challenge Cup tie with Catalans was similarly marketed on social media and drew 3,088, and at that game they handed out “Fordy Fivers” - replica £5 notes with coach James Ford’s picture in place of the Queen - offering reduced reduction to the next match with West Wales.

         

Another four-figure crowd - 1,095 - saw that record win, and there were two more for a link with York’s Pride Weekend (Workington, 1,399) and an Armed Forces Day with free ice lollies (Newcastle, 1,212).

         

On Sunday the theme for the Doncaster clash was Retro Round, something that has had significant success in the NRL.

         

York invited ex-players from both clubs for free and ran a retro shirt competition - and drew 1,311 to their exciting 31-16 win.

         

The Knights also used the game to hand out flyers for their next two home games against Coventry and North Wales.

         

As a result, their average attendance this year for League One matches is 1,584, and 1,744 if you include the Catalans match.

         

Given that this year we’ve seen Super League clubs - with vastly more resources and central funding - record crowds around and under the 2,000 mark, that is a great achievement for York and their backroom staff.

         

It also illustrates, again, the potential that the sport has not just outside of Super League but outside the Championship as well.

         

If the Knights can attract this many people to third tier rugby league and will minimal funding, what could they do with the benefits that come with being in the top flight?

         

With a new stadium on the horizon and a team pushing Bradford for top spot, there is much to be positive about in the Minster City at present.