T'Other Side: York City Knights

 

FIRST TEAM SQUAD

You might be surprised to see a dual reg player listed in the squad. Although dual reg between professional clubs does not exist in 2021, dual reg between a professional club and a community club is permitted.

LAST TIME OUT

2021 MATCHES

Head Coach: James Ford

James Ford is widely regarded as one of the best of the younger coaches. He began his career as a head coach with York in 2015 and has remained with the club ever since.

 

In 2017 Toronto Wolfpack won all 15 of their League One Fixtures but Ford’s York team caused a huge upset beating them in the League One Super 8s.

 

In 2018 he guided them to promotion into the Championship and remarkably, whereas most promoted clubs struggle in their first year, York finished 3^rd in the Championship in 2019.

 

As a player he was usually in the backs although he did also play at fullback and half-back. His career started with Fev in 2003, making 34 appearances in 3 years. In 2005 he went on loan to Sheffield and then spent the following three years there and established himself as a regular first team member before moving to Super League with Castleford in 2009. In 2010 he joined Widnes, and in April 2011 he transferred to York where he has remained ever since and when he retired from playing at the end of 2014 moved into the head coach position.

 

Captain: Chris Clarkson

The son of former Fev player, Micky Clarkson, he made his professional début with Leeds Rhinos in 2010 and was there for 5 seasons which included a few dual reg appearances for Hunslet. In 2015 he joined Widnes and then, in 2016, moved on to Hull KR. In 2019 he signed for Castleford and joined York at the beginning of 2020.

 

He usually plays in the second row or at loose forward.

 

Star Man: Matty Marsh

Matty Marsh is currently the joint top try scorer in the Championship this year with 6 tries four of which came in their 84-16 win away at Swinton on April 25^th.

 

His most usual position is fullback but this year he has been playing in the halves.

 

 

 

Loan signings

 

York have had a problem with injuries to half-backs. Morgan Smith (grandson of Fev’s Peter Smith) is out with a long term injury and recently their Aussie signing Brendan O’Hagan has also been injured. As a result they have had half-backs on loan. Joe Keyes (from Hull KR) played in one match and Riley Dean (Warrington) has played three times.

 

Also on loan are Connor Wynne (Hull FC – fullback), and Yusuf Aydin (Wakefield – prop).

 

 

 

New Signings for 2021

The Fev connection

 

There have been some notable moves between York and Fev. Both Steve Quinn and Graham Steadman moved from York to Rovers and Fev’s Challenge Cup Winning Captain Mal Dixon had 2 spells at York and was also their Head Coach.