IT'S a bit like saying an emotional long goodbye before starting a new better life somewhere new... only to pop back five minutes later to check the windows are shut... and again five minutes later because you've forgotten your coat.

This time, however, it's for definite. Here, for certain this time, at the third time of asking, comes York Rugby League's last final farewell to Huntington Stadium. (And here's hoping it brings tears of joy and excitement rather than tears of angst.)

It just so happens that it's old friends Hunslet Hawks who will, somewhat fittingly, provide the Knights' last-ever opposition at the ground.

Aside from the rivalry which has grown into 'arch' status in recent fun-filled years, the fixture provides a dose of quality coincidence too - Hunslet were the last-ever opponents in York's last-ever game at Clarence Street in 1989 while York were Hunslet's last-ever opponents in their last-ever game at their historic Parkside home in 1973.

Tomorrow's match has its own huge importance in itself, of course - the winners go through to the Grand Final against Oldham.

But this column could not ignore the fact rugby league fans will see Huntington Stadium no more once the doors are shut and the gates locked tomorrow night. So don't go leaving your coats behind (or, in yours truly's case, any laptop chargers for about the fifth time this year) as they'll be no getting them back before the place is demolished.

The first 'last' game at Huntington Stadium was the final match of the regular season against London Skolars, but, given the Knights finished first in the Championship One table, we had another farewell match in the promotion play-offs - last week's qualifying semi-final against Oldham.

Of course, defeat that day means there is another semi-final to play, hence this one more good bye.

So what are your memories of the place?

It's fair to say the stadium, opened in 1989, has had its knockers, and tomorrow's attendance won't come close to the 2,904 that bode an emotional farewell to Clarence Street.

The athletics track means the pitch is too far away from the stands. The empty spaces at the ends also detracts from the atmosphere and can allow a freezing northerly wind to swirl into the stands. The scoreboard hasn't worked properly for years. The pitch has been blamed for ankle injuries aplenty due to divets caused by shot putters. And, of course, it's "too far our of town" with no decent pubs in staggering distance.

It's also fair to say there have been several low points in York RL's 25-year residence there - not just defeats or even relegations but more so, of course, the demise of York Wasps.

However - and here comes the good bit - there have been some absolutely wonderful, enduring memories. There have been the individual moments never to be forgotten - for example, anyone who saw it still to this day talks about Graham Sullivan's cover tackle in a game against Halifax back in the 1990s. At last estimate, Sullivan chased 350 metres across and smashed his man not just off the pitch or across the track or even into the stand, but actually over the stand.

There have been the incredible, awesome players to grace the pitch in York colours. Tawera Nikau anyone? Danny Brough? Aussie ace Simon Friend? The local lads - lots of them - making good.

Forget the running tack, there have been some wonderful atmospheres generated, too.

The 4,977 gate that watched a Ryedale-York match against Halifax in 1990, when fans were allowed on the stand on grass banks behind the posts. Who can forget York City Knights' first-ever game when a then capacity 3,100 crammed in to see a superb match against Hull KR?

What about when the Sky TV cameras were there in 2009 when the Knights edged Oldham in the last minute of a wonderful advert for rugby league below Super League level, again in front of a 3,000-plus crowd.

Then there have been the bizarre moments: rock star Rick Witter attempting the crossbar challenge; Norris the Knight taking an age to pedal around the running track on an ill-fitting bike to get to the Pop Stand; a referee actually having a good game.

Oh, and a rugby league world record has been set there too - Chris Thorman's 56 points in the Challenge Cup's biggest-ever win of 132-0 set in 2011 against Northumbria University.

There have been many, many memorable matches over the last 25 years - each fan will have his own favourites.

This ground has also witnessed seasons of promotion, and here's hoping, praying its final year will foster one more such hurrah.

Lastly but not leastly, this little rugby league ground, with all its faults and flaws, has witnessed, amid some upset and disappointment, lots and lots of smiles and laughter.

Friendships have been born here and grown here, not just among players but among the supporters. Drums have been banged, songs sung, beers drunk, acquaintances made, lifelong mates found.

That's what sport is really about, and that's what makes stadiums, however big or small, special.

So thanks for the memories, Huntington Stadium, and good bye. (And good bye that blasted running track too.)

• MATCH-DAY admission prices tomorrow, like last week, are at usual rates and the same for standing or seating. (There will unfortunately be no return to 1989 prices for old times' sake.) Admission costs £15 for adults, £12 for concessions or £6 for under-16s. Season tickets or vice-president's passes are not valid for play-offs games as gates are shared.

 

Still all to play for in award race

IT appears The Press Player of the Year accolade is to go down to the wire after very little movement at the top.

The biggest mover in the standings after last week’s play-off loss to Oldham was Lee Paterson, pictured, who collects the three points as our man of the match that day and shifts a few places in mid-table.

We rated substitute Josh Tonks (2pts) our second best player in what, in truth, was a hard game to mark given the difference in overall performance of the two sides.

Tonks, a late-season signing, therefore gets onto the leaderboard, while we opted for James Ford (1pt) as our third best player, so he too gets on the ladder, not before time.

The leading Player of the Year contenders, therefore, are as they were, with Jack Aldous and Jack Lee at the summit, followed by dual-reg Castleford starlet Ben Reynolds, who inched to within two points after the preceding match against London Skolars, the last outing of the regular season.

Reynolds and Lee are also in the running, of course, for the Championship One Player of the Season accolade alongside team-mate Pat Smith and Gateshead Thunder skipper Jason Payne.

Hopefully there will still be two games to go for York - obviously depending on their beating Hunslet in tomorrow’s knockout semi-final - meaning James Haynes and James Saltonstall, four points off top spot, can also both still mathematically nick the prestigious gong come the end of term.

Greg Minikin, meanwhile, jumped up the leaderboard courtesy of his man-of-the-match credit in the victory over the Skolars.

That brought the centre the usual three points, while Reynolds picked up two as we deemed him our second best player courtesy of his two tries from full-back and five goals bringing a personal points haul of 18.

Ed Smith had another decent run in the back row that day so collected the remaining player of the year point on offer.

The Press Player of the Year standings: Lee 18pts, Aldous 18pts, Reynolds 16, Haynes 14, Saltonstall 14, P Smith 11, E Smith 9, Paterson 8, Roche 7, B Dent 6, Brennan 5, Minikin 4, Presley 4, Morrison 4, Day 4, Pickets 3, Bell 3, Backhouse 2, B Hardcastle 2, Tonks 2, Ford 1, Mallinder 1.