YORK City Knights has appointed Garbutt + Elliott to provide the rugby league club with accountancy and business services.

The York and Leeds-based accountancy practice has handled the club’s payroll needs since the beginning of 2017.

Now it will deliver a range of services to support further development of the club, which was bought by sports management consultant Jon Flatman last December.

Mr Flatman said the club wanted to work with local organisations wherever possible to ensure it remained connected to the city.

“Once Garbutt + Elliott started to run our payroll so efficiently, it was an easy decision to pass our accountancy and business services requirements to the firm,” he said.

“I’ve been very impressed with the professional and friendly manner in which our requirements have been handled.

“Our potential for growth in the city and region is vast and I’m confident that our appointment of Garbutt + Elliott will help us achieve our goals.”

Construction of an 8,000-seat community stadium for York City Knights and also York City Football Club is set to commence in October and the club is aiming to be a Championship Club within the next three years.

A spokesman said the stadium will boast a range of facilities that will provide the environment for York City Knights to grow and develop into one of the leading rugby league teams in the area.

He said Garbutt + Elliott was an independent firm of chartered accountants, auditors and advisors and offered tailored services for individuals and businesses.

Garbutt + Elliott partner Jeremy Oliver said: “York City Knights have shown their commitment to the city and we are pleased to be working with them to fulfil their business aims.

“We are two significant organisations in York and it’s great to be working alongside the club in this exciting period of their development and we hope our appointment is the start of a long-term partnership.”