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Will Backhouse

The Knights fairy-tale can continue

Updated: Jan 10, 2022

5 years ago York City Knights were on the brink of extinction, to the point that they had released a statement saying the club was "Closing for business". Fast forward to today and the Knights are in the best position the club has ever been in. A new stadium, growing crowds and a realistic aim of reaching the Super League for the very first time.

(Manager James Ford pictured at The Knights new LNER Community Stadium)


Current chairman Jon Flatman came in and saved the club in 2016 and they haven't looked back since, gaining promotion the championship in 2018.


Gavin Wilson was named clubman of the year in 2018 and despite being at there lowest point in 2016, he isn't surprised how far York have come, "I'm not surprised at all, even at it's lowest point the Knights had so much potential, all it needed was someone to come in and pull us all in the same direction."


"Jon came in at the perfect time and immediately made it clear what his vision was and how we could get there. He put right people in the right jobs and allowed everyone to play to their strengths and shine."


The Knights will be looking to build on there first two seasons back in the Championship having finished 3rd and 9th in the previous two seasons, and Gavin see's no reason why the club can't continue to hit new heights, with both the men's and women's team.


"The Knights rise has been rapid, but crucially it's also been sustainable. Over the last year we have moved into our fantastic new stadium and focused on making the Knights Ladies teams one of the best in the country, they are treated as equals to the men and are provided with the same world class facilities."


"The Ladies are already in the Super League and for the men it's unquestionably in our sights, we came close in the play-offs in 2019 and as a club we learned a lot about ourselves and gained valuable insight into what we need to do to reach the very top."


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