HOME-LOVING Darren Callaghan can't wait to kick off the season and run out again in front of the Huntington Stadium crowd.

The 27-year-old utility star is one of ten York-born and bred players in the York City Knights squad, and he says playing in front of his home-town crowd is something special.

"It does make a difference," he told the Evening Press. "I like to get the fans going and it's great to play in front of people from the same city as you.

"If you're walking around town and you get someone come up to you and say, It was a great game,' or, You played well', it's brilliant.

They could also say you had a nightmare, so that keeps you on your toes as well. It makes you want to do well."

This is Callaghan's second spell at Huntington Stadium. The former York Acorn ARLC youngster played for York Wasps in the mid to late-1990s and, after short spells at Gateshead and Hull KR and a season at Sheffield Eagles, returned to his home town team ahead of last season as one of the First Knights'.

He showed great commitment and utility value during the season, playing in various positions, becoming joint-top try-scorer with 14, and proving his worth to the fans, who awarded him the Most Improved Player' award.

"I played in a lot of different positions, and maybe that helped me get it, I don't know. I was pretty chuffed really to get the backing from the fans," he said.

"I've had a chat with Richard Agar (new coach) as regards this season and he said he would like me to play in the second row and I'm going to work hard, do my best and see how it goes.

"I enjoyed it in the second row last year and I'm happy to play there. Hopefully I can keep going and keep improving.

"Personally my aim this year is to keep up to standard, work as hard as I can and try to stay in the team because if I stay in the team it will mean I'm doing well."

Callaghan was wary of making rash predictions about promotion, but reckoned the new-look squad had a good chance of success.

"We seem to have made some very good signings," he said. "Damien Reed and Yusuf Sozi were looking sharp in the friendly against Hull KR and players like Damian Ball, Nathan Graham and Chris Langley are all good players. We've got quality players all over the pitch and good competition for places.

"We've all got to play for our places and it's good for the club. Every player knows he has to be up to standard every week and if not there's some-one there to take their place.

"Everyone is getting on well and team bonding has been good. It's been going really well. Richard Agar is a good bloke and we're learning a lot and gelling together."

He added: "Hopefully we can keep winning. I think we've got a good chance of promotion but there's a long way to go and there is still a lot to learn. But with the players we've got we should be in with a chance."