T'Other Side: York City Knights

  

FIRST TEAM SQUAD

LAST TIME OUT

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, Chris Clarkson 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 although he also filled in at halfback last year during York’s injury crisis in the halves.

 

Star Man: Jamie Ellis

 

For 2020 York signed Morgan Smith as their new halfback but a pre-season injury ruled him out for the entire year and now, of course, he has joined Fev. This year they have replaced him with Jamie Ellis, after a brief loan spell with them last season. He brings a vast experience of playing in Super League with 149 games for St. Helens, Castleford, Huddersfield, Hull KR and Leigh. He also kicked 225 goals for those clubs.

 

 

New Signings in 2021

After a relatively poor year in 2021, James Ford has recruited 12 new players for 2022 including powerhouse second rower Pauli Pauli from Salford.

 

 

Loan signings

 

Ronan Michael (prop) is on on loan from Huddersfield Giants.

 

 

The Fev connection

 

There have been some notable moves between York and Fev. Steve Quinn moved from York to Rovers and Fev’s Challenge Cup Captain Mal Dixon had 2 spells at York and was also their Head Coach. Terry Ramshaw played exactly 100 games for Fev between 1961 and 1965. On leaving Fev he played for several other clubs and finished his career in 1977-1978 at York while Mal Dixon was the coach there.