MAKE of this what you will. As many fans will know, the Knights' travelling army has recently seen formed a 'choir' of singing supporters getting behind the team, and that choir has been accompanied in recent weeks by a drum played by fan Ian Hick.

Now, "Big Ian" took that drum along to Dewsbury last week - only for Rams officials to demand over a PA announcement that he stopped playing it.

What's all that about, I hear you ask. Well, apparently, so the announcement said, the drum formed a "safety hazard".

Said Ian: "The Dewsbury fans we met before the game said there would be no problem, the gate-men let me take it in no problem, and there was no problem with the stewards. But at half-time there was an announcement, 'Would the person playing the drum cease as it's a safety hazard'.

"I don't know where they got the 'safety hazard' from. I think it was a bit childish, but there you go."

He added: "Since then, I've spoke to a Dewsbury fan saying I should have kept playing it to keep their players awake!"

Of course, the Knights were leading 18-10 at half-time - would the home fans have cared about a drum if they weren't losing? - and went on to rack up a 58-16 win.

An explanation behind Dewsbury's decision came from general manager Angela Burkinshaw.

"We had been approached by York in the week asking if we would allow this chap to play his drum," she said. "We reserve the right to say no and we exercised that right.

"It was based on club policy and something we agreed with local residents, while stewards have said it can be a cause of friction between supporters.

"Another thing we have to consider, although it's highly unlikely, is that drumsticks can be construed as offensive weapons.

"The chap did turn up with the drum and played it. We decided to play it by ear and see if there was any response to it, and we received three or four complaints to the stewards.

"It was brought to the chairman's attention and he informed the ground safety officer, who asked him to stop playing the drum."

If memory serves me right, Sheffield Eagles have a drummer themselves so there is likely to be no such problem tomorrow - though it could become a tad noisy.

THE Knights' Supporters' Club will be holding a "Sounds of the Sixties Disco" in the Huntington Stadium bar on Saturday, April 10, 7.30pm till late.

Tickets costing £5 include a basket meal and are available from Club office and bar. Fancy dress is optional.

Updated: 11:34 Saturday, February 28, 2004